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01  tUc  tthcologfrji/  j 


PRINCETON,  N.  J. 


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Purchased  by  the  Hamill  Missionary  Fund. 


Division 


HC  \S7 

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Section 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/industrialcubabe00port_0 


ENTRANCE  TO  HAVANA  HARBOUR. 


INDUSTRIAL  CUBA 


BEING  A STUDY  OF  PRESENT  COMMERCIAL  AND 
INDUSTRIAL  CONDITIONS,  WITH  SUGGESTIONS 
AS  TO  THE  OPPORTUNITIES  PRESENTED  IN  THE 
ISLAND  FOR  AMERICAN  CAPITAL,  ENTERPRISE, 
AND  LABOUR. 


V 


TTititci 


NOV  15  1910 


BY 


V 


iOSlCkl  SEW^' 


ROBERT  P.  PORTER 


SPECIAL  COMMISSIONER  FOR  THE  UNITED  STATES  TO  CUBA 
AND  PORTO  RICO 


WITH  MAPS  AND  62  ILLUSTRATIONS 


New  York 

Young  People’s  Missionary  Movement 
of  the  United  States  and  Canada 


Copyright,  1899 

BY 

ROBERT  P.  PORTER 
Entered  at  Stationers’  Hall,  London 


tlbe  fmicherboclttr  prts«,  Bor* 


TO 

william  McKinley 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 
THIS  BOOK  IS  RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED  BY 


THE  AUTHOR 


INTRODUCTION 


HIS  volume  deals  with  the  living  questions  of  Cuba — 


the  questions  which  confront  the  United  States  in  the 
reconstruction  of  the  Island.  It  aims  to  give  a description 
of  Cuba  as  it  appeared  to  the  author  when,  as  Special  Com- 
missioner of  the  United  States,  he  was  sent  by  President 
McKinley  to  report  on  its  industrial,  commercial,  and  finan- 
cial condition,  soon  after  the  signing  of  the  protocol  of 
peace,  August  12,  1898.  It  is  the  result  of  nearly  seven 
months’  inquiry  and  hard  work,  in  which  the  Island  has 
been  visited  three  times,  over  five  hundred  witnesses  have 
been  examined,  and  innumerable  statements  have  been 
studied  and  analysed.  In  the  course  of  this  inquiry  the 
author  has  visited  all  the  provinces  and  nearly  all  the  prin- 
cipal cities  and  towns.  The  merit  of  the  book  lies  in  the 
freshness  and  originality  of  the  material  brought  together, 
and  the  demerit  in  the  fact  that  it  has  been  written  by  one 
who  was  obliged  to  snatch  a few  hours  at  a time  to  map 
out  or  write  a chapter.  The  author  realises  the  defects  and 
asks  the  indulgence  of  the  reader  on  the  ground  that  it  is 
the  first  attempt  to  discuss  the  economic  and  political  future 
~ of  Cuba  under  its  new  form  of  government. 

Whatever  the  future  may  have  in  store  for  this  wonderful 
and  unfortunate  Island,  the  author  can  truly  say  that  the 
task  allotted  him  by  the  President  has,  so  far  as  Cuba  and 
the  Cuban  people  are  concerned,  been  conscientiously  and 
faithfully  performed.  The  measures  inaugurated  for  the 
government  of  the  Island,  which  were  based  upon  the 


VI 


Introduction 


author’s  reports,  have  been  scrupulously  framed  in  the 
interest  of  Cuba  and  not  with  a view  of  benefiting  by  dis- 
crimination the  United  States.  The  machinery  of  the  new 
government  has  been  set  running  in  Cuba,  and  though  some 
time  may  elapse  before  it  is  working  as  smoothly  as  we 
would  wish,  it  has  been  inaugurated  with  the  sole  desire  of 
doing  the  best  possible  by  Cuba.  Of  the  rest,  the  reader 
must  judge  for  himself.  The  subject  at  least  is  interesting, 
even  though  its  treatment  here  may  be  a little  statistical. 
The  account  of  the  visit  to  General  Gomez  was  deemed 
sufficiently  interesting  and  important  to  give  it  in  full, 
exactly  as  the  report  was  made  through  the  Honourable 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Lyman  J.  Gage,  to  the  President. 

Recognition  is  due  to  Mr.  W.  J.  Lampton  for  his  assist- 
ance to  the  writer. 


36  East  Sixty-fifth  Street, 

New  York. 


R.  P.  P. 


February  9,  i8qg. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  PAGE 

I. — Cuba — Political  and  Economic  i 

II. — Conditions  which  Confront  us  . . .14 

III.  — Political  Future  of  Cuba  ....  32 

IV.  — The  English  in  Jamaica  ....  47 

V. — The  Americans  in  Santiago  ...  62 

VI. — Outlook  in  Cuba  for  Labour  ...  73 

VII. — The  Population  of  Cuba  ....  90 

VIII. — Sanitary  Work  in  Cuba  ....  108 

IX. — Cities  and  Towns  of  Cuba  . . . .122 

X. — Havana  ........  139 

XI. — Colonel  Waring’s  Sanitary  Report  . . 154 

XII. — Municipal  Problems  in  Havana  . . .172 

XIII.  — Banks  and  Currency  .....  190 

XIV.  — Payment  of  Insurgent  Soldiers  . . 204 

XV. — The  Revenue  of  Cuba — Customs  Tariffs  . 211 

XVI. — The  Amended  Tariff — Official  . . . 221 

XVII. — The  Revenue  of  Cuba — Internal  Taxes  . 248 

XVIII. — How  the  Revenue  was  Spent  . . . 256 

XIX. — Commerce  267 

XX. — Sugar  ........  281 

XXI. — Tobacco.  .......  302 

XXII. — Mines  and  Mining  .....  318 

XXIII. — Agriculture  and  Stock  ....  329 

XXIV. — Timber  and  Fruit 338 

XXV. — Transportation  . . . . . . 351 

XXVI. — Navigation 362 

XXVII. — Education  and  Religion  ....  376 

XXVIII. — A Meeting  with  General  Gomez  . . 390 

XXIX. — Conclusion — The  Outlook  for  the  Future.  408 

vii 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


PACK 


Entrance  to  Havana  Harbour Frontispiece 

Sketch-Map  of  the  Frovince  of  Pinar  del  Rio  ....  8 

Sketch-Map  of  the  Provinces  of  Havana  and  Matanzas  . . 16 

Batey  of  Santa  Catalina 22 

Sketch-Map  of  the  Province  of  Santa  Clara 28 

Sketch-Map  of  the  Province  of  Puerto  Principe  ....  38 

Sketch-Map  of  the  Province  of  Santiago  de  Cuba  ....  44 

On  the  Road  to  Castleton,  Jamaica 50 

Cathedral  Street,  Santiago  de  Cuba 66 

From  a photograph  by  J.  F.  Coonley,  Nassau,  N.  P. 

Cane  Cutters  . 76 

A Country  Villa 92 

Cuban  “Guarachero”  (Minstrel) 96 

A Native  Hut 100 

From  a photograph  by  J.  F.  Coonley,  Nassau,  N,  P. 

Street  View,  Santiago  de  Cuba 108 

From  a photograph  by  J . F.  Coonley,  Nassau,  N.  P. 

Waterman  in  the  Country 112 

Marianao  Water  Vendor 116 

Square  in  Front  of  Governor’s  Palace  at  Santiago  de  Cuba  . 122 

A Mule  Train,  Santiago  de  Cuba 124 

From  a photograph  by  J.  F.  Coonley,  Nassau,  N.  P. 

Matanzas.  Yumuri  River  and  Entrance  to  the  Valley  . . 128 

Panorama  from  the  Road  to  the  Caves,  Matanzas  . . . 132 

The  Plaza,  Cienfuegos 136 

Havana,  from  Across  the  Bay 146 


IX 


x Illustrations 


PAGE 


The  Prado,  Havana  .... 

. 150 

Yard  of  American  Club,  Havana 

. 156 

The  Prado  and  Indian  Statue,  Havana 

. 166 

House  of  Parliament,  Havana  . 

. 180 

Tacon  Market,  Havana 

. 186 

Fire  Department,  Santiago  de  Cuba 

. 196 

Morro  Castle,  Santiago  de  Cuba 

. 206 

Palm  Tree  Bridge  .... 

. 220 

Avenue  of  Palm  T rees,  Palatino 

. 238 

Road  in  a Pine  Grove  of  Vuelta  Abajo 

. 252 

A Cocoanut  Grove  .... 

. 262 

A Sugar-Cane  Train  .... 

. 272 

Sugar-Cane  Scales  .... 

. 276 

Cane  Fields 

. 282 

Cutting  Sugar-Cane  .... 

. 286 

Unloading  Cane  at  a Batey 

. 290 

Cylinders  for  Grinding  Sugar-Cane  . 

• 294 

Apparatus  for  Packing  Sugar  at  the  San  Jose 

Central 

. 298 

Planting  Tobacco  .... 

. 302 

Tobacco  Farm  and  Dwelling 

• 304 

Wetting  the  Tobacco  Leaf 

. 308 

Tobacco-Drying  House 

. 310 

Baling  Tobacco 

• 3i4 

Old  Copper  Mines  at  La  Copera 

. 318 

Mining  Camp  at  Fireneza  . 

. 322 

Ore  Bank  of  Juragua  Mines 

. 326 

Ox  Cart 

• 332 

A Fowl  Vendor 

• 334 

Royal  Palms,  Yumuri  Valley 

• 336 

Sago  Palm 

• 338 

Mahogany  Carried  by  Oxen 

. 340 

Cuban  Fruits 

• 344 

Coffee  Mill,  Santiago  de  Cuba 

• 348 

Illustrations 


XI 


PAGE 

A Convoy  in  the  Hills 352 

A Cuban  Volante 354 

Cuban  Mule  Cart 35S 

A Curve  on  the  Yaguajay  Railroad 360 

The  Havana  Floating  Dock 364 

A Cuban  Ferry 368 

Pier  of  the  Juragua  Iron  Co.,  Ltd 372 

Old  Arch  of  the  Jesuit  College,  Havana 378 

Old  Catholic  Church  at  La  Copera 380 

The  Cathedral,  Havana 384 

The  Cathedral,  Santiago  de  Cuba 388 

Spanish  Fort  on  Railroad  to  Juragua  Mines 396 

Map  of  Cuba 416 


INDUSTRIAL  CUBA 


CHAPTER  I 

CUBA— POLITICAL  AND  ECONOMIC 

A NATION,  like  an  individual,  must  be  gauged  by  its 
endowments,  its  environment,  its  opportunities,  and 
the  various  causes  which  from  time  to  time  accelerate  or 
retard  its  progress. 

Cuba  is  richly  endowed  with  natural  resources,  it  is  within 
a short  distance  of  the  best  and  most  profitable  market  in 
the  world,  and  its  opportunities,  under  favourable  conditions 
of  trade,  should  have  made  its  population  contented  and 
prosperous.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  numerous  causes  which 
have  retarded  all  progress  in  this  Island,  what  would  have 
been  its  industrial,  commercial,  and  social  conditions  at  the 
close  of  the  present  century  ? 

Numbering  over  a million  population  fifty  years  ago,  the 
Island  of  Cuba,  at  the  rate  of  growth  common  to  the  more 
prosperous  countries  of  the  western  hemisphere,  ought  to 
number  at  the  present  time  between  four  and  a half  and 
five  millions  of  inhabitants.  With  this  population,  and  a 
government  giving  everyone  the  right  to  the  fruits  of  his 
own  labour,  Cuba’s  sugar  crop  alone  would  have  been  more 
than  double  the  high-water  mark  of  the  last  prosperous  year, 
exceeding  two  millions  of  tons,  with  a value  of  one  hundred 
millions  of  dollars. 

Tobacco,  coffee,  tropical  fruits,  iron  ore,  other  minerals  of 


2 


Industrial  Cuba 


various  kinds,  lumber,  cattle,  and  innumerable  other  pro- 
ducts which  form  the  commercial  wealth  of  this  marvellous 
Island,  would  have  increased  the  annual  value  of  its  products 
to  figures  ranging  between  two  hundred  and  two  hundred 
and  fifty  millions  of  dollars,  and  thus  more  than  doubled, 
perhaps  trebled,  its  commercial  importance.  Laws  favour- 
able to  trade,  and  a government  interested  in  development  of 
home  industry  would  have  retained  for  Cuba  a large  propor- 
tion of  this  wealth,  and  there  would  have  sprung  up  an  in- 
dustrial system  giving  actual  employment  to  as  many  people 
in  the  gainful  occupations  as  will  be  found  in  all  Cuba  when 
the  last  Spanish  soldier  departs  from  the  desolate  and  pro- 
strate Island. 

Cuba  should  have  developed  some  diversified  industries, 
if  only  those  branches  of  manufacture  which  are  necessary 
to  supply  the  requirements  of  its  own  population.  In  its 
mineral  resources  it  has  the  basis  for  the  manufacture  of  iron 
and  steel  and  for  the  establishment  of  machine-shops  to 
supply  home  demands.  In  its  untouched  forests  of  excel- 
lent hardwood,  Cuba  possesses  the  chief  raw  material  for 
the  manufacture  of  furniture  and  other  articles  for  which  the 
Spanish  race  are  justly  famous.  With  steel  and  wood  for 
the  first  quality  in  abundance,  and  a water  tonnage  of  con- 
siderable magnitude,  there  should  have  sprung  up,  in  many 
of  the  unequalled  harbours  of  the  coast  of  Cuba,  shipyards 
of  no  mean  dimensions.  Without  becoming  a manufactur- 
ing country,  except  in  sugar  and  tobacco  and  a few  other 
products  in  which  Cuba  excels,  it  might,  under  favoura- 
ble conditions,  at  this  period  of  its  industrial  history  have 
been  producing  many  articles  of  home  consumption  which, 
by  reason  of  the  unhappy  management  of  its  affairs,  it  has 
been  compelled  to  purchase  abroad.  Not  abroad  in  the 
open  markets  of  the  world,  for  that  is  another  story;  but 
of  Spain,  because  the  most  infamous  discriminating  duties 
have  shut  Cuba  out  of  the  cheaper  markets;  and  while 
thus  gagged  and  bound,  the  Island  has  been  plundered  and 
despoiled  by  the  mother  country.  In  this  manner  have 


Political  and  Economic 


3 


resources  and  revenue  alike  been  drained  away  and  nothing 
left,  either  for  home  enterprise  or  improvement,  nor  for 
reserve  capital  with  which  to  do  business. 

Cuba  should  have  established  a central  railway  system 
running  the  length  of  the  Island  from  east  to  west,  with 
branches  extending  on  all  sides,  like  its  rivers,  to  the  many 
good  towns  and  harbours  on  both  north  and  south  coasts. 
Instead  of  this  it  has  a little  less  than  a thousand  miles 
of  line,  operated  by  seven  timid  companies,  extending  in 
various  directions,  but  leaving  the  two  ends  of  the  Island 
farther  apart  in  actual  days  of  travel  than  are  New  York 
and  San  Francisco.  The  capital  city  of  Cuba,  Havana,  has 
within  it  the  possibilities  of  a great  and  beautiful  city;  the 
commercial  and  industrial  city  of  a prosperous  country  of 
five  millions  of  people,  and  the  winter  health-resort  for  the 
rich  and  fashionable  families  of  all  North  America.  Its 
public  buildings  should  have  been  of  the  best,  its  tropical 
parks  and  gardens  the  most  fascinating  in  the  world,  its 
streets  and  pavements  the  most  substantial,  its  healthfulness 
unquestioned,  and  its  harbours  and  docks  thronged  with 
shipping  and  resonant  with  commercial  activity.  The  mer- 
chants of  Havana  should  rank  among  the  richest  and  most 
prosperous  in  the  world,  and  the  business,  manufacturing, 
and  social  interests  of  the  place  be  equal  to  those  of  Boston 
or  Baltimore  or  San  Francisco.  What  applies  to  Havana 
applies  only  in  a lesser  degree  to  the  other  cities  of  Cuba, 
many  of  which  are  excellently  located  and  should  be  import- 
ant industrial  and  commercial  centres,  with  numerous  fields 
for  the  modern  municipal  enterprise  which  has  done  so  much 
to  improve  the  condition  of  the  urban  population  of  Europe 
and  of  the  United  States.  Last,  though  not  least,  the 
Island  should  have  been  dotted  over  with  the  trinity  of 
civilisation — the  home,  the  schoolhouse,  and  the  church. 
It  is  the  lack  of  these  three  great  elements  of  national 
strength  and  progress,  underlying  Cuba’s  ills,  that  is  the 
cause  of  much  of  its  misfortune. 

The  building  of  the  home,  the  establishment  of  the 


4 


Industrial  Cuba 


school,  and  the  tolerance  of  religious  worship  in  half  a 
century  changed  Texas  from  a wilderness  to  a great  and 
prosperous  State,  with  the  possibilities  of  an  empire.  These 
same  forces,  had  full  play  been  given  them  in  Cuba  during 
the  same  period,  would  have  transformed  that  Island  into 
all  that  has  herein  been  depicted.  Its  resources  are  abund- 
ant to  maintain  five  and  even  ten  millions  of  persons,  for 
only  a small  proportion  of  its  area  is  populated.  The 
climate  is  healthful  and  the  dangers  to  those  unacclimated 
which  lurk  in  its  seaport  towns  may  all  be  controlled  by 
sanitary  and  engineering  science.  That  these  possibilities 
have  not  been  realised  does  not  lie  with  Cuba  itself,  but  is 
due  to  the  numerous  causes  which  have  retarded  and  stopped 
its  development,  and  which  have  finally,  after  years  of  strife 
and  war,  left  the  Island  with  population  depleted,  agricult- 
ure prostrate,  industry  destroyed,  and  commerce  devastated. 

It  may  be  necessary  for  a clear  view  of  the  subject  in  hand 
to  review  briefly  the  causes  which  have  led  to  this  unhappy 
end  ; but,  happily,  a work  dealing  with  the  rehabilitation  or 
industrial  reconstruction  of  Cuba  does  not  require  the  author 
either  to  dwell  long  upon  nor  to  emphasise  the  gloomy  side 
of  the  picture.  The  results  of  Spanish  robbery  and  misrule 
speak  too  plainly.  The  reader  has  seen  what  Cuba  might 
have  been  under  an  honest,  stable  government,  or  under  the 
protecting  aegis  of  the  United  States.  The  picture  pre- 
sented is  not  exaggerated,  but  is  coloured  by  a moderate 
brush.  What  Cuba  is,  alas!  is  too  well  known  to  American 
and  English  readers  to  call  for  more  than  a brief  summary 
of  conditions  as  they  existed  when  the  author  was  requested 
by  the  President  of  the  United  States  to  visit  the  Island, 
report  upon  its  industrial  condition,  and  suggest  plans  for 
the  relief  of  the  population  and  for  the  commercial  and  in- 
dustrial reconstruction  of  the  country. 

Visiting  the  Island  immediately  after  the  signing  of  the 
protocol  of  the  cessation  of  hostilities  between  the  United 
States  and  Spain,  August  12,  1898,  and  again  returning  to 
Santiago  in  December  after  that  province  had  been  in  charge 


Political  and  Economic 


5 


of  the  United  States  military  authorities  for  nearly  six 
months,  he  had  ample  and  satisfactory  opportunity  for  the 
study  of  conditions  and  future  needs  of  the  people.  Surely 
the  horrors  and  the  desolating  hand  of  war  were  never  laid 
more  heavily  upon  a once  prosperous  country.  Nearly  a 
third  of  the  population  wiped  out  by  battle,  wholesale 
slaughter,  starvation,  exposure,  or  disease,  and  a large  pro- 
portion of  those  left  enfeebled  by  deprivation  and  too  weak 
to  take  up  their  occupations;  the  cane-fields  and  tobacco 
plantations,  which  formed  the  basis  of  prosperity,  burned, 
and  whole  sections  of  country  swept  of  every  vestige  of 
civilisation;  sugar-centrals,  houses,  and  structures  of  all 
kinds  destroyed,  and  inhabitants  either  dead  or  huddled 
half  starved  in  miserable  huts  near  the  towns  and  cities;  not 
a living  creature  to  be  seen  where  once  browsed  innumerable 
cattle,  and  death, destruction,  and  desolation  spread  through- 
out this  land  that  should,  and  under  ordinary  circumstances 
would,  be  as  full  of  life  and  prosperity  as  the  richest  agricult- 
ural section  of  our  own  country. 

Nor  were  the  cities  and  towns  exempted.  Trade  and 
commerce  at  a standstill  ; the  few  sickly  manufacturing 
industries  which  at  the  best  struggled  under  the  most  ad- 
verse conditions  closed,  the  ruined  buildings  emphasising 
the  scene  of  desolation.  In  Havana,  the  wharves  and 
numerous  large  warehouses  were  empty,  or  converted  into 
rendezvous  and  hospitals  for  Spanish  troops.  Hungry  and 
discouraged,  the  native  population  stood  listlessly  on  the 
streets  and  in  the  public  places.  At  each  station  the  rail- 
road trains  were  boarded  by  half-starving  women  or  children 
begging  for  bread  or  coppers.  The  principal  signs  of  life 
were  exhibited  by  the  Spanish  soldiers,  who,  with  their  blue 
cotton  uniforms  and  Mauser  rifles,  seemed  to  form  the 
greater  part  of  the  population  of  the  cities  and  towns,  while 
at  the  small  country  railroad  stations  the  squads  of  woe- 
begone soldiers  alongside  the  blockhouses  comprised  the 
only  living  relief  to  miles  of  waste.  The  Cuban  railways, 
like  all  other  implements  of  industry  in  the  unfortunate 


6 


Industrial  Cuba 


Island,  show  evidences  of  the  conflict.  Stations  burned, 
bridges  destroyed,  tracks  torn  up,  freight-cars  made  into 
portable  blockhouses,  locomotives  blown  to  pieces,  and 
passenger-cars  dilapidated  and  dingy.  In  short,  a country 
more  systematically  pillaged,  more  infamously  deprived  of 
its  resources,  more  wantonly  plundered  of  its  revenues,  and 
a population  more  completely  deprived  of  its  rights  by  those 
who  had  every  reason  to  foster  and  protect  a valuable  pos- 
session cannot  be  found  recorded  in  ancient  or  modern 
history.  Cuba,  as  it  was  left  at  the  close  of  this  year  by 
the  Spanish,  who  to  the  last  moment  seemed  loth  to  leave 
the  emaciated  body  which  their  inordinate  greed  had  thus 
reduced,  presents  a picture  so  sad  and  sorrowful  that,  for 
the  sake  of  our  common  humanity,  it  is  better  to  draw  a 
curtain  over  the  past  and  direct  attention  to  the  happier 
omens  which  point  to  the  possibilities  of  the  future. 

The  work  of  industrial,  commercial,  and  social  reconstruc- 
tion of  Cuba  must  date  from  the  eventful  day  when  the  Stars 
and  Stripes  were  unfurled  above  Morro  Castle.  It  is  with 
this  work  that  the  present  volume  deals.  Whatever  form 
the  government  of  Cuba  may  take,  the  responsibility  of  the 
commercial  and  industrial  rehabilitation  of  the  Island  must 
rest  with  the  United  States.  The  power  that  forced  the 
Spanish  to  evacuate  the  Island  is  the  power  which  the  world 
will  hold  responsible  for  the  future  welfare  of  its  people. 
The  timid,  the  weak,  and  the  craven-hearted  who  contend 
that  the  United  States  has  no  responsibility,  after  it  has 
assumed  all  responsibility,  are  entitled  to  no  voice  in  the 
disposition  of  Cuba.  The  cost  to  the  United  States  can- 
not be  put  in  the  balance  against  the  duty  of  the  United 
States.  The  moral  obligation,  therefore,  toward  Cuba 
and  humanity  must  come  first.  The  war  was  a war  of 
humanity  and  not  of  conquest.  The  same  principle  must 
guide  those  upon  whose  shoulders  will  fall  the  more  difficult 
task  of  restoring  peace,  forming  a stable  government,  and 
reviving  commerce  and  industry.  For  the  United  States 
to  desert  Cuba  in  its  hour  of  greatest  need  would  be  more 


Political  and  Economic 


7 


inhuman  than  it  would  have  been  to  have  left  it  to  Weyler 
and  his  policy  of  extermination.  The  plain  duty  of  the 
hour,  so  far  as  the  United  States  is  concerned,  and  the  best 
means  of  solving  all  political  questions  which  may  arise  in 
connection  with  the  Island,  is  to  begin  at  once  the  work  of 
economic  or  industrial  reconstruction,  postponing  for  fu- 
ture discussion  all  political  questions.  To  this  end  the  mis- 
sion already  referred  to  was  projected.  To  this  end  a firm 
military  government,  capable  of  keeping  law  and  order,  will 
be  established.  To  this  end  the  attention  of  the  people  of 
Cuba  should  be  at  once  directed  toward  the  economic  ques- 
tions upon  which  depend  the  progress  and  prosperity  of  the 
population. 

The  destruction  and  disorganisation  brought  about  by  the 
war  will  make  the  work  of  placing  the  Island  in  a favourable 
economic  condition  costly  and  protracted,  and  many  years 
must  elapse  before  Cuba  will  take  its  rightful  place  in  the 
economies  of  the  world.  By  this  is  meant  the  position  to 
which  its  resources  and  location  entitle  it.  If  it  is  true,  and 
I doubt  it  not,  that  the  causes  which  have  led  to  war, 
both  in  1868  and  in  1895,  were  more  economic  than  politi- 
cal (and  the  greater  importance  of  economic  over  political 
questions  in  such  a colony  of  small  and  mixed  population  as, 
Cuba  is  easy  to  understand),  then  Cuba  to-day  is  free.  The 
Spanish  Government  would  have  more  willingly  granted 
political  freedom  to  Cuba  had  it  not  been  for  the  well- 
grounded  fear  that  economic  concessions  would  have  ne- 
cessarily followed.  Those  United  States  officials  who  have 
been  in  Cuba  since  the  signing  of  the  protocol  of  peace 
understand  this  fully.  The  United  States  Military  Com- 
missioners, in  their  daily  intercourse  with  Spanish  officials, 
have  found  no  sentiment  of  resentment  toward  the  United 
States.  The  regrets  have  all  been  of  a sordid  character 
and  may  be  summed  up  in  loss  of  revenue  and  commerce 
for  Spain. 

The  war  which  has  just  been  brought  to  an  end  really 
began  in  1868.  Although  between  1878  and  1895  there  was 


8 


Industrial  Cuba 


some  appearance  of  peace,  the  real  situation  in  Cuba  during 
these  seventeen  years  was  one  of  silent  economic  struggle 
with  Spain.  The  meaning  of  the  peace  of  Zanjon  (1878) 
was  that  Spaniards  and  Cubans  were  to  be  treated  alike. 
The  fact  has  been,  however,  that  the  Cuban  native  popula- 
tion has  been  kept  in  a condition  similar  to  slavery.  The 
means  employed  have  been  skilful  and  full  of  cunning. 
Leaving  to  the  Cubans  complete  liberty  of  discussion  by 
means  of  the  press,  the  Government  has  felt  itself  powerful 
enough  to  despise  them,  and  when  warned  of  the  danger  of 
a new  revolution,  always  considered  impossible  this  last  ex- 
tremity. This  feeling  of  absolute  confidence  and  reliance 
on  the  military  power  of  Spain  has  constantly  been  ex- 
pressed in  Madrid,  both  officially  and  privately,  and  also  by 
the  Spanish  party  in  Cuba.  During  the  years  1878-1895,  a 
political  organisation  (the  Autonomist  party)  was  formed  in 
opposition  to  the  obstinate  Spanish  party.  It  would  be  too 
tedious  to  go  now  into  the  details  of  contemporary  Cuban 
politics;  it  is  enough  to  say  that  the  Spanish  Government 
has  been  to  the  last  moment  strenuously  opposed  to  any 
plan  of  real  autonomy,  that  is,  to  an  autonomy  that  would 
grant  industrial  freedom  to  Cuba.  Even  the  laws  of 
autonomy  actually  conceded  in  1897-1898,  as  a last  and 
desperate  resource  against  the  revolution,  were  not  granted 
in  good  faith,  as  is  well  known  to  those  who  have  carefully 
watched  the  course  of  Cuban-Spanish  politics.  Therefore, 
although  the  Cubans  knew  very  well  how  superior  to  their 
own  strength  was  the  Spanish  power,  and  understood  equally 
well  how  great  and  numerous  were  the  dangers  of  a new  in- 
surrection, nevertheless  the  sufferings  of  the  entire  native 
population  were  such  that  the  popular  sentiment  became 
irresistible,  and  after  a few  fruitless  outbreaks  the  war  was 
renewed  in  1895. 

The  long  contest  between  Spain  and  Cuba  has  been  finally 
decided  by  American  intervention,  without  which  the  war 
must  have  been  protracted  until  the  Island  was  completely 
devastated  and  ruined ; and  even  then  Spain  would  never 


SKETCH  MAP  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  PINAR  DEL  RIO. 


Political  and  Economic 


9 


have  given  it  up.  Not  from  patriotic  motives,  but  simply 
and  solely  because  it  yielded  revenue  to  Spain’s  depleted 
treasury,  and  gave  her  sons  an  opportunity  for  pillage  and 
plunder.  The  tenacity  with  which  these  officials  have  clung 
to  the  offices,  and  the  difficulty  which  the  United  States 
Commissioners  encountered  in  obtaining  a relinquishment 
of  the  custom-houses,  all  point  to  the  cupidity  of  the 
Spanish,  and  show  that  they  were  in  Cuba  for  revenue 
exclusively. 

Considering  now  the  political  aspect  of  Cuban  affairs  after 
the  protocol  of  August  12,  1898,  it  will  be  found  that  no 
well-defined  scheme  of  political  organisation  exists  in  Cuba, 
and  that  the  only  really  popular  and,  it  may  be  said,  unan- 
imous feeling  is  that  liberty,  in  all  the  legitimate  meanings 
of  this  word,  is  necessary.  The  actual  situation  may  be 
compared  to  an  anarchy,  for  there  is  really  no  supreme 
authority.  How  to  discuss  and  establish  any  political  laws 
in  the  midst  of  this  existing  legal  anarchy  and  complete 
lack  of  political  experience,  is  the  question  confronting  the 
United  States  Government.  This  situation  and  many  other 
conditions  that  are  the  natural  consequences  of  the  last 
events  point  out  the  necessity  of  forming  provisionally  a 
strong  government  in  Cuba,  under  the  guidance  and  protec- 
tion of  the  United  States.  Under  such  protection  the 
work  of  rebuilding  the  industries  destroyed,  and  of  once 
more  making  productive  the  fields  burned  and  the  planta- 
tions dismantled  and  devastated,  can  be  carried  on,  and  in 
no  other  way. 

With  these  general  conditions  in  mind,  it  may  be  well  to 
ascertain  if  there  exist  any  facts  of  a promising  nature, 
which  will  contribute  to  make  easier  the  work  the  United 
States  has  undertaken.  It  is  undoubtedly  true  that  the 
people  of  Cuba  can  be  brought  together  on  economic  ques- 
tions, if  not  on  those  of  a political  character.  The  United 
States  has  specifically  disclaimed  “ any  disposition  or  inten- 
tion to  exercise  sovereignty,  jurisdiction,  or  control  over  said 
Island,”  except  for”  the  pacification  thereof.”  If,  there- 


IO 


Industrial  Cuba 


fore,  the  pacification  can  be  more  easily  and  surely  accom- 
plished by  giving  Cuba  industrial  freedom, — the  right  to  buy 
in  the  most  advantageous  markets  in  the  world,  and  sell 
where  the  natural  demands  for  its  products  exist, — the 
United  States  has  the  right  before  all  the  world  to  carry  out 
that  programme.  Spain  never  granted  this  right  to  Cuba, 
not  even  in  the  alleged  Autonomist  Government  wrung 
from  Madrid  when  war  with  the  United  States  seemed 
imminent  and  Spanish  diplomacy  was  in  the  last  ditch. 

The  signs  and  omens  for  crystallising  public  sentiment  in 
the  Island  of  Cuba  on  all  industrial  questions  are  far  more 
hopeful  at  the  present  moment  than  are  those  which  indicate 
the  possibility  of  establishing  a stable  government,  and  thus 
leaving  the  management  and  control  of  the  Island  to  its 
people.  There  is  now  no  opposition  nor  rivalry  of  different 
interests  among  the  Cubans,  as  the  strong  and  important 
industries  in  Cuba,  most  of  them  agricultural,  are  of  such  a 
nature  that  they  may  all  thrive  at  the  same  time.  Until 
now  the  condition  has  been  different,  because  the  prosperity 
of  all  Cuban  industries  has  been  thwarted  and  impeded  by 
the  protection  and  privileges  which  the  Spanish  Government 
had  to  grant  to  the  Peninsular  industries,  whose  interests 
(always  in  opposition  to  the  legitimate  wants  of  Cuba)  have 
ever  been  systematically  preferred  to  those  most  vital  in  the 
Island.  Another  fact  is  that  the  productive  energy  of  Cuba 
and  the  fertility  of  its  soil  are  so  great,  and  the  real  needs 
of  the  population  so  very  small,  that  the  process  of  ac- 
cumulating capital  will  become  very  rapid,  after  the  worst 
results  of  the  late  war  are  over  and  a settled  and  stable  gov- 
ernment has  been  established.  How  far  the  natural  re- 
sources of  the  country  will  contribute  to  this  result  will 
soon  be  understood  and  appreciated.  Heretofore,  the 
yearly  increase  of  public  wealth  has  been  a very  doubtful 
quantity,  and  it  has  never  been  possible  to  build  any  hope 
on  that  ground,  because  all  industrial  profits  have  been  ab- 
sorbed by  Spain,  without  leaving  any  surplus  to  provide  for 
the  accumulation  of  capital  and  the  material  progress  of  the 


Political  and  Economic 


1 1 

Island.  The  consequences  of  the  Spanish  colonial  system 
have  been  such  that  even  before  the  present  war  Cuba  was 
already  ruined.  The  1895-1898  war  has  completed  and 
aggravated  to  the  utmost  degree  the  material  ruin  of  the 
Island.  The  ultimate  result  of  this  industrial  thraldom  has 
been  the  never-ending  removal  of  Cuban  wealth  to  Spain, 
without  any  return.  The  means  employed  for  securing  that 
object  were  numberless. 

The  irresponsible  methods  of  governing  Cuba  converted 
the  Island  into  a powerful  means  of  political  influence  in  the 
hands  of  the  Ministers.  The  most  difficult  political  ques- 
tions, either  personal  or  otherwise,  were  usually  decided  at 
the  expense  of  Cuba.  Very  often  the  single  signature  of  a 
Minister  of  the  Colonies  was  sufficient  to  make  the  fortune 
of  a man  for  his  whole  life;  and  it  is  easy  to  understand 
that  every  political  party  in  Spain  would  be  opposed  to  any 
reform  that  should  deprive  it  of  such  efficient  means  of 
influence  and  power.  With  very  few  exceptions,  all  the 
Spanish  officials  in  Cuba,  from  the  lowest  to  the  highest, 
came  from  Spain.  Their  number  was  extraordinarily  large, 
and  their  work,  as  a general  rule,  pitifully  bad ; their  con- 
stant aim  being  to  do  as  little  work  as  possible,  and  to  en- 
rich themselves,  at  the  cost  of  Cuba,  as  quickly  as  they 
could.  The  fleet  of  the  Spanish  transatlantic  steamers  was 
constantly  employed  in  transferring  impecunious  officials 
from  Spain  to  Cuba,  and  taking  them  back  again  with  more 
or  less  wealth  acquired  during  their  residence  in  the  Island, 
and  sometimes  with  pensions  during  their  lives  and  the  lives 
of  their  widows  and  daughters.  Even  a share  of  the  pass- 
age money  of  these  officials  “ both  ways  ” was  paid  by 
Cuba. 

Besides  this  salaried  staff  of  officials,  backed  by  the  army 
and  navy  (which  were  wholly  paid  by  Cuba),  Spain  depended 
for  the  support  of  its  rule  in  Cuba  on  the  so-called  Spanish 
political  party,  known  since  1878  as  the  “ Union  Constitu- 
tional.” This  party  comprises  the  whole  of  the  Spanish 
population  in  Cuba,  which  is  very  numerous;  and  the  blind 


12 


Industrial  Cuba 


and  unconditional  support  it  gave  to  every  measure  of  gov- 
ernment, or  of  misgovernment,  whether  the  ruling  party  in 
Spain  was  liberal  or  conservative,  was  paid  for  by  the  Gov- 
ernment in  many  different  ways,  and  in  such  a degree  that 
whatever  might  be  the  economic  situation  of  Cuba,  the 
men  belonging  to  the  Spanish  party  had  always  the  means 
of  enriching  themselves.  To  these  causes  of  impoverish- 
ment must  be  added  the  results  of  the  commercial  policy  of 
Spain;  a subject  which  will  receive  attention  later  in  this 
volume.  In  vain  the  productive  classes  of  Cuba  protested, 
during  many  years,  against  this  deadly  regime.  It  is  no 
wonder,  therefore,  that  the  insatiable  ambition  of  Spain 
should  have  led  to  such  an  antagonism  of  interests  as  to 
render  a Cuban  insurrection  necessary,  there  being  no  peace- 
ful means  of  convincing  Spain  of  its  folly.  In  the  same 
measure  as  Cuba  was  reduced  to  utter  bankruptcy  and  pov- 
erty, the  importation  of  Cuban  wealth  into  Spain,  without 
any  return,  increased  year  after  year.  More  particularly 
after  the  price  of  sugar  fell  permanently  (in  1884)  to  about 
one-half  of  its  former  value,  and  after  the  complete  aboli- 
tion of  slavery  took  place  (in  1885),  was  the  contrast  strikingly 
manifested  between  the  gradual  exhaustion  of  Cuba  and  the 
ever-increasing  exactions  of  the  mother  country.  It  may 
with  accuracy  be  said  that  after  the  slavery  of  the  negroes 
came  to  an  end,  Spain  possessed  the  power  of  reducing  to 
real  slavery  the  whole  native  Cuban  population,  both  white 
and  black. 

For  this  systematic  process  of  thorough  draining,  Prime 
Minister  Canovas  invented  the  name  or  appellation  of 
rcalidad  national  (national  reality),  meaning  thereby  that 
the  necessity  of  maintaining  the  old  colonial  system  could 
not  be  avoided,  as  it  had  become  interwoven  with  the  Span- 
ish economics  in  such  a degree  as  to  make  it  impossible  for 
any  Government,  either  conservative  or  liberal,  to  interfere 
with  it.  The  Cubans  could  not  accept,  without  repeatedly 
protesting  against  it,  the  oppressive  system  of  the  “ national 
reality,"  for  which  name  they  substituted,  very  properly  and 


Political  and  Economic 


13 


accurately,  the  denomination  of  “ economical  slavery.”  It 
is  now  useless  to  explain  in  how  many  forms,  and  how  often, 
the  Cubans  have  appealed  to  the  Madrid  Government,  es- 
pecially since  1890.  But  all  their  efforts  failed,  and  the 
necessary  outcome  of  those  failures  was  war.  Cuba,  no 
more  a European  colony,  will  henceforth  be  an  entirely 
American  country.  It  is  now  completely  ruined  and  devas- 
tated, and  many  years  of  peaceful  industry  will  be  necessary 
in  order  to  convert  its  unhappy  people  into  a prosperous 
nation.  How  that  can  best  be  accomplished  is  of  far  more 
importance  to  the  people  of  Cuba  at  this  time  than  the 
question  of  who  shall  administer  the  government.  For  the 
present,  at  least,  if  its  people  are  wise,  the  Island  will  be 
content  with  the  industrial  freedom  which  has  been  accorded 
to  it,  and  rejoice  in  the  fact  that  it  is  an  American  country, 
and  not  a Spanish  dependency. 


CHAPTER  II 


CONDITIONS  WHICH  CONFRONT  US 


'O  treat  of  Cuba  as  an  American  country  is  the  purpose 


I of  this  volume.  If  the  people  of  the  Island,  regardless 
of  nationality,  will  only  postpone  the  question  of  the  par- 
ticular form  of  government  for  the  present,  and  give  all  their 
attention  to  the  new  economic  questions  which  confront 
them,  the  future  will  be  full  of  promise.  Cuba  is  no  longer 
a European  colony,  but  an  American  country,  under  the 
protection  of  the  United  States.  So  long  as  the  Island  is 
occupied  and  governed  by  the  military  forces  of  the  United 
States,  law  and  order  will  be  maintained  and  equal  rights 
will  be  granted  to  all  the  people.  From  an  industrial  point 
of  view  Cuba  will  have  practically  obtained  what  she  has 
been  fighting  for  for  nearly  a generation  : namely,  industrial 
and  commercial  freedom.  The  United  States  will  adminis- 
ter the  laws  for  the  Cubans  in  the  interest  of  Cuba.  The 
United  States  asks  nothing  in  return  but  the  same  oppor- 
tunity for  trade  and  commerce  as  is  accorded  to  the  other 
countries  of  the  world.  The  Republic  will  levy  no  tribute, 
nor  will  it  exact  a dollar  of  taxation  over  and  above  the 
revenue  necessary  for  protecting  life  and  property,  and  the 
cost  of  inaugurating  such  works  for  the  improvement  of 
sanitation,  or  the  carrying  on  of  industries,  as  may  become 
necessary. 

Many  Cubans,  and  a very  large  number  of  Spaniards,  who 
appeared  before  the  author  when  in  Cuba,  for  the  purpose 
of  giving  testimony  on  industrial  and  commercial  matters, 
took  it  for  granted  that  the  United  States  would,  in  making 


14 


Conditions  which  Confront  Us 


15 


up  the  new  fiscal  laws  for  the  Island,  exact  discriminating 
duties  in  favour  of  the  United  States  and  against  European 
countries.  When  told  nothing  of  the  sort  was  contem- 
plated, the  Cubans  were  surprised  and  the  Spaniards  in- 
credulous. Indeed,  the  latter  were  astounded,  and  seemed 
to  wonder  what  the  United  States  was  in  Cuba  for.  Even 
American  citizens  interested  in  pushing  their  Cuban  trade 
have  expressed  surprise  at  the  absolute  freedom  which  has 
been  allowed  all  fiscal  legislation,  and  the  scrupulous  care 
exercised  by  our  Government  not  to  exact  any  right  itself 
which  is  not  accorded  to  other  nations.  In  such  matters  we 
are  of  course  bound  by  our  international  treaties,  and  so 
long  as  Cuba  remains  under  the  protection  of  the  Republic, 
and  not  part  of  it,  she  must  be  treated,  so  far  as  customs 
regulations  and  navigation  laws  are  concerned,  as  a free 
country.  In  the  preliminary  work  of  economic  reconstruc- 
tion these  sound  principles  have  been  kept  in  mind  and 
adhered  to.  In  fact,  the  fullest  and  broadest  plan  was 
chosen  by  the  Administration  to  secure  information  in 
Cuba;  and  the  refrain  of  the  instructions,  both  from  Presid- 
ent McKinley  and  his  able  and  broad-minded  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury,  was,  to  spare  neither  time  nor  money  to  secure 
the  views  of  all  the  people  of  Cuba;  for  whatever  the  United 
States  Government  finds  necessary  to  do  in  the  Island  must 
be  done,  as  far  as  possible,  by  the  people  of  Cuba,  for 
Cubans,  and  in  the  interests  of  Cuba.  By  this  it  must  not 
be  inferred  that  those  of  Spanish  birth  were  to  be  excluded, 
but,  on  the  contrary,  that  the  views  of  all  who  proposed  to 
remain  in  Cuba  and  help  by  their  labour  and  thrift  to  build 
up  the  industry  and  commerce  of  the  Island  should  be 
sought  and  considered. 

In  following  out  the  spirit  of  these  statesmanlike  instruc- 
tions, the  author  invited,  through  the  newspapers,  all  per- 
sons interested  in  the  industry,  trade,  foreign  commerce,  and 
currency  and  banking  system  of  Cuba  to  express  their  views 
on  these  and  kindred  topics.  Many  responded,  and  as  may 
be  imagined  the  information  gathered  took  a wide  range, 


i6 


Industrial  Cuba 


and  will,  it  is  hoped,  be  of  practical  value  in  adjusting  the 
questions  with  which  the  Government  of  the  United  States 
will  have  to  deal  during  the  military  occupation  of  the 
Island.  In  the  prosecution  of  this  work,  public  hearings 
were  given  in  Havana,  Cienfuegos,  and  Santiago;  and  to 
committees  of  persons  representing  interests  at  Trinidad, 
Caibarien,  Sagua  la  Grande,  and  other  parts  of  the  Island  an 
opportunity  was  given  to  express  their  views  as  to  the  in- 
dustrial necessities  of  their  respective  communities.  In  New 
York  and  Washington  opportunity  was  given  to  those  in- 
terested in  Cuban  commerce  and  such  American  citizens  as 
represent  large  sugar  estates,  iron  mines,  and  tobacco  and 
fruit  interests  in  the  Island  of  Cuba,  to  present  a full  and 
free  expression  of  their  views  on  all  topics  included  in  the 
scope  of  the  investigation.  A large  amount  of  information 
was  thus  obtained,  and  no  inconsiderable  assistance  rend- 
ered by  these  gentlemen.  With  hardly  an  exception,  such 
assistance  has  been  rendered  freely  and  disinterestedly,  and 
the  author  takes  this  occasion  to  thank  a large  number  of 
business  men  who  have  been  found  ready  and  willing  to 
drop  their  business  at  any  moment  and  devote  much  valu- 
able time  in  an  endeavour  to  elucidate  the  somewhat  com- 
plicated conditions  which  surround  the  commerce  and 
industry’  of  Cuba. 

In  Cuba  every  possible  consideration  was  shown  to  the 
writer  and  no  pains  nor  trouble  were  spared  on  the  part  of 
the  Spanish  officials  and  business  men  to  give  all  required 
information  and  to  aid  in  the  inquiry  undertaken.  In  this 
work  neither  political  prejudice  nor  nationality  took  any 
part.  The  Spanish  bankers  and  merchants,  whose  influence 
a few  weeks  previously  had  been  arrayed  against  the  United 
States,  came  forward  and  placed  such  information  as  they 
had  at  the  disposal  of  the  United  States  Government.  The 
Cubans  engaged  in  business,  and  the  military  commanders 
in  the  field,  from  Generals  Gomez  and  Rodriguez  down, 
have  alike  assured  me  of  their  sympathy  in  the  work  thus 
instituted  by  the  United  States,  and  proffered  their  serv- 


HAVAN, 


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jaguey  GRANDE, 


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AMARILLAS  '; 


AtURGA 


SKETCH  MAP  OF  THE  PROVINCES  OF  HAVANA  AND  MATANZAS. 


instituted  by  the  United  btates,  and  prottered  their  serv 


Conditions  which  Confront  Us 


1 7 


ices  in  its  prosecution.  The  following  expression  from 
the  veteran  warrior,  General  Gomez,  dated  Boffill  Planta- 
tion, October  3,  1898,  will  be  read  in  this  connection  with 
interest : 

“ I must  congratulate  you  cordially  for  the  high  mission  which 
you  have  had  entrusted  to  you.  I am  completely  identified  in  all 
and  with  all  concerning  it;  I reserve  for  a better  opportunity 
giving  you  my  personal  views  on  the  matter.  . . . On  my 

side  I am  working  in  the  same  sense;  I am  doing  all  I can  for 
the  immediate  reconstruction  of  the  country;  its  wounds  will  heal 
with  the  rapid  promotion  of  the  work.  This  is  the  battle  we  are 
now  fighting,  and  all  men  of  good  will  should  join  us  in  our  strug- 
gle. I avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  to  tender  my  services.” 

The  business  men  and  merchants  of  Havana  and  other 
large  cities,  regardless  of  nationality,  have  rendered  services 
of  incalculable  value  to  this  inquiry,  on  the  ground  that  the 
one  thing  that  Cuba  wants  more  than  all  else  is,  as  General 
Gomez  truly  says,  that  its  people  should  lay  down  their 
arms  and  take  up  the  implements  of  peace.  The  Presidents 
of  the  Chambers  of  Commerce  of  Havana,  Cienfuegos,  and 
Santiago  have  all  taken  an  interest  in  this  work  and  elabor- 
ate reports  were  prepared  by  committees  appointed  espec- 
ially to  aid  in  gauging  the  industrial  necessities  of  the 
Island.  A similar  report  has  been  prepared  for  Matanzas. 

Whatever  may  be  the  shortcomings  of  this  volume  on 
Industrial  Cuba,  they  must  not  be  attributed  either  to  lack 
of  interest  on  the  part  of  the  people  of  Cuba,  or  to  any 
failure  on  their  part  to  give  information,  especially  on  all 
matters  relating  to  foreign  commerce.  There  is,  of  course, 
a dearth  of  statistical  information,  in  consequence  of  which 
it  has  been  difficult  to  work  out  certain  fiscal  statements  and 
estimates  with  the  degree  of  exactitude  easily  attainable  on 
the  same  lines  at  home.  The  information  which  has  been 
obtained,  however,  would  seem  to  leave  no  room  for  doubt 
as  to  the  wisest  course  for  the  United  States  Government 
to  pursue  in  adjusting  Cuban  customs  duties,  in  establishing 


i8 


Industrial  Cuba 


a sound  currency,  in  protecting  the  savings  of  the  people, 
in  preventing  usury,  in  abolishing  onerous  and  iniquitous 
taxation,  in  establishing  free  schools,  in  starting  new  and 
reviving  the  old  industries  of  Cuba,  in  increasing  com- 
merce, in  improving  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  cities,  in 
distributing  labour,  and  in  the  general  industrial  and  moral 
upbuilding  of  the  people. 

The  present  volume  touches  on  all  these  topics,  and  en- 
deavours to  give  the  reader  a clear  and  practical  idea  of  the 
present  industrial  condition  of  Cuba.  The  present  chapter 
aims  to  present  in  a concise  form  a few  of  the  more  import- 
ant problems  which  the  United  States  Government  was  called 
upon  to  face  January  i,  1899,  and  with  which  it  may  have 
to  grapple  during  the  first  years  of  the  new  century.  No 
attempt  is  made  to  forecast  the  manner  of  their  settlement. 
It  is  not,  as  a rule,  wise  to  worry  about  how  we  are  to  cross 
a bridge  until  we  get  to  it.  Many  Cuban  economic  pro- 
blems which  at  a distance  seem  to  be  complicated,  will 
simplify  as  we  come  within  close  range.  Once  the  United 
States  military  authorities  are  in  possession,  ways  and  means 
will  suggest  themselves  to  overcome  obstacles  which  now 
seem  almost  insurmountable.  The  most  urgent  needs  of 
the  Island,  when  it  was  turned  over  to  our  Government, 
were  those  briefly  discussed  in  this  review  of  the  economic 
conditions  of  Cuba. 

First  among  these  needs  of  the  Island  was  a tariff  that 
should  bear  lightest  in  directions  where  the  people  could 
least  afford  the  burden  of  taxation,  and  heaviest  on  commod- 
ities which  the  well-to-do  and  those  engaged  in  large  enter- 
prises required.  The  Spanish  tariff  was  made  by  Spaniards, 
for  Spain,  in  the  interests  of  the  Spanish.  That  seems  to 
be  the  actuating  principle  of  it.  On  any  other  theory  it 
was  inexplicable.  In  adopting,  July,  1898,  for  an  exigency 
measure,  the  rates  of  duty  which  Spain  levied  for  her  own 
commodities,  the  United  States  acted  wisely.  These  rates, 
however,  were  full  of  inequalities,  and  were  not  levied  on 
any  sound  principle,  but  on  the  “ heads,  Spain  wins;  tails, 


Conditions  which  Confront  Us 


19 


Cuba  loses  ” idea  which  prevailed  in  the  whole  fiscal  fabric. 
It  was  found  that  the  only  way  to  remedy  these  inequali- 
ties, equalise  the  rates  of  duties,  improve  the  administration, 
and  reduce  the  rates  of  duties  on  all  articles  of  general  con- 
sumption, was  to  frame  a practically  new  tariff.  This  was 
done,  and  the  new  tariff  now  in  force  will  undoubtedly  do 
its  share  in  the  industrial  reconstruction  of  Cuba.  In  this 
tariff  it  was  not  thought  advisable  to  make  radical  changes 
in  the  administrative  branches,  nor  to  change  weights  and 
measures  into  United  States  equivalents,  because  the  people 
of  Cuba  are  accustomed  to  the  metric  system.  As  a rule, 
all  duties  in  Cuba  are  levied  by  the  kilo  and  hundred  kilos. 
United  States  currency,  however,  was  substituted  for  the 
Spanish  pesos.  This  will  simplify  collection  of  taxes,  as 
customs  duties  were  collected  by  Spain  in  three  different 
classes  of  currency:  gold,  silver,  and  bank  notes,  all  (for  the 
gold  coins  used  in  Cuba  have  fictitious  values)  fluctuating  in 
value. 

The  tariff  adopted  by  the  United  States,  when  the  mili- 
tary forces  took  charge  of  the  custom-houses,  reduced  all 
duties  about  sixty  per  cent,  on  the  old  Spanish  rate,  and 
averages  fully  two-thirds  less  than  the  rates  exacted  by 
Spain  in  Cuban  ports  during  the  last  five  months  of  its  oc- 
cupancy of  the  Island.  The  reasons  for  these  reductions, 
together  with  the  reasons  which  led  up  to  the  decision  of 
the  President  to  admit  cattle  and  agricultural  implements 
free  into  Cuban  ports  in  possession  of  the  United  States,  are 
fully  given  in  another  chapter.  Still  another  chapter  will 
be  devoted  to  an  analysis  and  discussion  of  the  Cuban  Budg- 
et, in  which  the  effect  of  the  new  tariff  on  the  revenue  of 
the  country,  together  with  the  other  sources  of  revenue, 
are  explained  and  discussed.  It  will  naturally  be  asked : 
With  such  a large  reduction  of  duties,  how  does  the  United 
States  expect  to  secure  revenue  for  the  purpose  of  adminis- 
tering the  government  of  the  Island  ? There  are  several 
answers  to  this  question,  and  the  facts  bearing  on  the  sub- 
ject are  given  in  full  in  the  chapter  on  the  Cuban  Budget. 


20 


Industrial  Cuba 


The  general  answer  is  that  by  reason  of  fraudulent  classifica- 
tion and  smuggling,  much  of  the  revenue  collected  from  the 
people  of  Cuba  never  found  its  way  into  the  treasury  of  that 
Island,  nor  of  Spain.  The  cupidity  and  rapacity  of  the 
Spanish  officials  in  Cuba  are  beyond  conception,  and,  if  one 
may  judge  by  the  reports  of  the  United  States  customs  offic- 
ials at  Santiago,  as  much  revenue  will  be  received  from  a 
tariff  whose  duties  are  from  a half  to  two  thirds  less  than  the 
Spanish  tariff  as  was  received  under  the  iniquitous  and  ex- 
asperating law  which  has  been  abolished  by  the  advent  of  the 
American  forces.  As  the  officials  recommending  the  measure 
believed,  the  reduction  to  a reasonable  rate  of  duty  in  certain 
schedules — such,  for  example,  as  those  relating  to  machinery 
and  railway  supplies — would  increase  importation,  and  cer- 
tainly the  revenue  would  be  greater  than  during  the  period 
of  prohibitory  duties.  A railway  company  naturally  hesit- 
ated to  import  a locomotive  when  the  duty  was  equivalent 
to  the  value  of  the  engine.  With  a revised  tariff  of  twenty- 
five  per  cent,  ad  valorem,  it  may  import  two,  or  four,  or 
even  six.  In  adjusting  such  schedules,  the  revenue  features 
alone  need  be  considered,  because  Cuba  has  no  locomotive 
works,  or  any  iron  or  steel  industry.  The  same  is  true  of  a 
variety  of  other  articles. 

In  all  cases  where  there  are  home  industries  in  Cuba 
capable  of  supplying  a manufactured  product  made  by 
home  labour,  care  was  exercised  by  those  who  framed  this 
tariff  (either  by  making  free  the  raw  material,  or  by  not 
making  a too  radical  reduction  of  duty)  not  to  injure  their 
prospects.  In  so  doing,  the  Administration  is  only  carrying 
out  the  policy  which  has  been  fruitful  in  developing  the  in- 
dustries of  the  United  States  and  in  securing  diversified 
employment  for  its  labour.  If  honestly  enforced,  the  new 
tariff  established  in  Cuba  by  the  United  States  will  yield 
sufficient  revenue,  enable  Cuba  to  buy  in  the  cheapest 
markets  of  the  world,  and  not  compel  her  to  purchase  from 
Spain  inferior  commodities  at  a high  price.  In  every  sec- 
tion it  is  a Cuban  measure,  and  in  no  single  case  can  there 


Conditions  which  Confront  Us 


21 


be  found  a section  that  discriminates  in  favour  of  the  United 
States  as  against  any  other  market.  The  United  States 
purposes  to  take  its  chances  for  the  Cuban  trade  with  the 
rest  of  the  world.  If  Cuba  can  purchase  cheaper  and  better 
articles  on  more  favourable  terms  of  the  United  States  than 
of  Europe,  we  shall  secure  the  trade.  If  not,  the  Cuban 
consumer  is  free  to  purchase  in  the  markets  of  the  world. 
In  this  one  act  alone,  conservative,  thoughtful  Cubans  must 
realise  that  they  have  attained  to  the  commercial  freedom 
which  some,  not  without  reason,  contend  was  the  real  object 
of  the  two  insurrections.  However  that  may  be,  Cuba  has 
secured  a right  which  England  would  never  concede  to 
Ireland,  namely,  a separate  revenue  system.  In  granting 
this  economic  freedom  to  her  other  colonies,  England  has 
strengthened  their  ties  to  the  mother  country.  With  in- 
dustrial freedom  assured,  a colonial  country  may  be  indif- 
ferent to  the  form  of  its  political  government. 

Next  in  importance  to  the  fiscal  laws  for  the  revenue  of 
the  Island  comes  the  currency  question.  No  country  can 
be  permanently  prosperous  unless  its  currency  is  sound  and 
its  credit  good.  Bad  financial  management  of  state  affairs 
begets  bad  credit,  and  impaired  credit  is  the  forerunner  of 
depreciated  currency.  Although  Cuba  is  afflicted  with 
many  kinds  of  depreciated  currency,  the  established  basis  is 
strictly  gold,  and  in  any  commercial  engagement  the  value 
is  understood  to  be  in  Spanish  gold,  unless  there  is  a specific- 
ation to  the  contrary.  Indeed,  there  is  something  almost 
pathetic  in  the  manner  in  which  Cuba,  though  plundered 
and  depleted  of  her  resources  and  wealth,  has  never  wavered 
from  the  gold  standard.  The  business  interests  of  the 
Island  are,  as  the  author  found,  unanimously  in  favour  of  a 
continued  gold  basis;  for  the  Cubans  have  suffered  so  much 
from  Spain’s  various  attempts  to  force  upon  the  people  a 
depreciated  currency,  both  in  the  form  of  silver  and  bank 
bills,  that  they  want  no  further  experiments  with  the  cur- 
rency. The  Spanish  silver  money  current  in  the  Island  is 
taken  at  the  daily  value  only,  which  is  fixed,  partly  by  the 


22 


Industrial  Cuba 


larger  or  smaller  demand  for  wages  and  necessities  of  the 
Government  to  pay  troops,  but  principally  by  the  continually 
fluctuating  value  of  the  Spanish  money  in  the  European 
markets.  As  this  Spanish  silver  is  legal  tender  in  Spain  for 
its  face  value,  it  is  able  to  maintain  a fictitious  value  for 
purposes  of  shipment  to  that  country.  This  silver  dollar, 
therefore,  fluctuates  in  value  with  the  fitful  changes  in 
Spain’s  credit,  and  it  is  probable,  should  the  United  States 
establish  American  currency  as  sole  legal  tender  for  the 
Island  of  Cuba,  that  all  the  Spanish  silver  dollars  will  be 
shipped  to  Spain.  There  was  in  Cuba  during  the  last 
months  of  Spanish  control  a margin  of  thirty  per  cent,  on 
the  silver  dollars.  It  is  not  probable  that  these  dollars  will 
go  down  to  a point  where  it  will  not  pay  to  ship  the  Span- 
ish silver  to  Spain  and  utilise  the  American  dollar  in  Cuba. 
In  this  event  the  United  States  Government  will,  of  course, 
ship  its  own  silver  dollars  to  Cuba;  which,  with  the  sub- 
sidiary coins,  will  be  required  for  small  payments.  At  San- 
tiago the  immediate  disappearance  of  Spanish  dollars  and 
minor  coins  has  made  small  transactions  extremely  difficult. 
Some  think  that  the  present  stock  of  Spanish  silver  in  the 
Island  exceeds  the  necessities;  but  however  this  may  be  in 
the  western  part  of  the  Island,  it  was  evidently  not  the  case 
in  Santiago. 

Besides  the  silver,  there  is  a bank-note  circulation,  but  that 
has  no  actual  bearing  on  the  question  of  currency,  as  the 
trade  and  business  of  the  Island  has  refused  to  accept  it, 
and  the  present  quoted  value  is  less  than  ten  cents  on  the 
dollar.  The  greater  part  of  this  emission,  which  was  a war 
issue  made  by  the  Spanish  Government  at  Madrid  through 
the  Banco  Espanol  de  la  Isla  de  Cuba  (not  by  that  bank),  is 
largely  in  the  hands  of  speculators  and  government  contract- 
ors. The  only  public  application  is  for  the  payment  in  the 
custom-house  of  the  so-called  ten  per  cent,  ad  valorem 
duty  assessed  on  the  official  value  of  imported  merchan- 
dise in  addition  to  the  regular  specific  rate  of  duty  exacted. 
The  abolition  of  this  duty,  under  the  new  tariff,  ends  the 


BATEY  OF  SANTA  CATALINA. 


Conditions  which  Confront  Us 


23 


life  of  these  bank  bills.  There  still  remains  a question  as 
to  whether  the  Spanish  Bank  of  Cuba  was  in  any  way  re- 
sponsible for  these  bills,  and  the  question  will  come  up  for 
future  adjustment.  The  Bank  will  probably  deny  responsi- 
bility and  refer  those  who  hold  this  depreciated  currency  to 
the  Spanish  Government  at  Madrid.  It  is  an  interesting 
fact  in  this  connection  that  the  credit  of  the  Spanish  Bank 
of  Cuba  is  of  a higher  standard  than  the  credit  of  the  Span- 
ish Government,  for  the  Bank  has  never  failed  to  redeem  its 
own  paper  during  nearly  half  a century  of  its  existence,  first 
as  the  Bank  of  Spain  of  Havana  and  subsequently  under  its 
present  name.  It  has  at  times  suffered  embarrassment,  but 
ultimately  the  bills  of  the  Spanish  Bank  of  the  Island  of 
Cuba  have  always  been  redeemed. 

The  gold  coins  current  in  Cuba  are  the  Spanish  and 
French  coins,  the  bulk  of  which  consists  of  Spanish  twenty- 
fi ve-peseta.  pieces,  so-called  Alfonsinos,  which  for  many 
years  have  been  inflated  by  royal  decree  to  $5.30,  and  the 
French  twenty-franc  piece,  so-called  Napoleons,  which  have 
also  been  given  a legal  value  of  $4.24  and  decreed  since  the 
end  of  1893  as  legal  money.1  When  the  necessity  for  adopt- 

1 The  following  shows  the  precise  value  of  both  the  Spanish  Alfonsino  and 
the  French  Napoleon,  with  the  inflated  value.  It  also  shows  the  cost  of  Spanish 
silver  in  Havana  in  September,  1898.  These  facts  are  necessary  to  a complete 
view  of  the  subject  of  Cuban  currency  : 

STATEMENT  SHOWING  VALUE  OF  UNITED  STATES  GOLD  IN  COMPARISON  WITH 
SPANISH  AND  FRENCH  GOLD  AT  ACTUAL  LEGAL-TENDER  VALUE 

Spanish  Alfonsino $5.30 

French  Napoleon 4.24 

Spanish  Alfonsino,  value  in  Havana $5 .30 

Value  in  United  States  mint  ($4.80  less  shipping 

expenses) 4.776 

$0,524 

Exchange  lo$4  % 

French  Napoleon,  value  in  Havana $4.24 

Value  in  United  States  mint  ($3.84  less  shipping 

expenses) 3.8208 

$0.4192 

Exchange  io$4  % 

Value  of  $5,  less  l/z  % shipping  expenses $4-975-  At  iofjj  % $5-53 


24 


Industrial  Cuba 


ing  and  inflating  another  gold  coin  besides  the  Spanish 
Alfonsino  was  under  discussion,  the  suggestion  was  made 
that  the  United  States  gold  eagle  would  make  an  excel- 
lent coin  for  this  purpose,  as  it  would  figure  out  almost 
exactly  eleven  dollars  Spanish  gold.1  The  idea  was  not 
entertained,  because  of  the  general  distrust  of  Americans, 
and  the  fear  lest  the  relations  between  the  United  States 
and  Cuba  should  become  too  intimately  interwoven. 

STATEMENT  SHOWING  VALUE  OF  UNITED  STATES  GOLD  IN  COMPARISON  WITH 
SPANISH  AND  FRENCH  GOLD  ON  THE  BASIS  OF  PAR  VALUE 

Spanish  Alfonsino $5. 

French  Napoleon 4. 

Spanish  Alfonsino,  value  in  Havana $5. 

Value  in  United  States  mint  ($4.80  less  shipping 

expenses,  .024) 4.776 

$0,224. 

Exchange  4B  f 

French  Napoleon,  value  in  Havana $4. 

Value  in  United  States  mint  ($3.84  less  shipping 

expenses,  .0192) 3.8208 

$0.1792 

Exchange  4H  f 

Value  of  $5,  less  ]£  % shipping  expenses $4-975-  At  $5.21 

Quotations  : £ Stlg.,  Spain,  $39.40  currency  in  Havana,  10#  £ in  U.  S.  4.84 

STATEMENT  SHOWING  ACTUAL  VALUE  OF  $1.  SPANISH  SILVER 

100,000  dollars  Spanish  silver  can  be  bought  to-day  here  with  $66,000  Spanish 
gold,  equal  to  $60,000  U.  S.  currency. 

100.000  silver  dollars  shipped  to  Spain  after  deducting  1 % shipping  expenses 
would  produce  $99,000. 

99.000  dollars  Spanish  silver  on  Spain  will  buy  at  rate  of  £1,  which  is  $7.88, 

.£12,563.  .£12,563  would  produce  in  the  U.  S.  at  $4.84,  $60,804.92. 

Cost $60,000 

Proceeds..  60,804.92 

$ 804.92,  from  which  deduct  commission,  revenue  stamp,  inter- 

est, and  profit. 

1 Taking  into  account  the  weight  of  gold  contained  in  the  United  States  gold 
ten-dollar  piece  and  in  the  Spanish  Alfonsino  or  centen  (5.30  Cuban  dollars), 
the  value  of  the  American  eagle  is  exactly  10.9875  Cuban  dollars,  or  practically 
11  Cuban  dollars.  There  is  a shade  of  difference,  namely,  $5.53,  which  would 
equal  $11.06,  for  the  American  eagle  in  the  estimate  given  in  the  former  foot- 
note, but  the  exchange  is  included  in  the  calculation.  As  the  matter  now  stands 
in  Cuba,  a ten-dollar  American  gold  piece  is  worth  ir  Spanish  dollars  in  gold. 


Conditions  which  Confront  Us 


25 


While  the  principal  banking  concerns  are  unanimous  as  to 
the  gold  standard,  there  is  a difference  of  opinion  in  relation 
to  the  advisability  of  squeezing  the  inflation  out  of  these 
gold  coins.  Some  of  the  Cuban  bankers  and  financiers  con- 
tend that  the  United  States  Government  should  add  another 
gold  coin  to  the  currency,  namely,  the  American  eagle; 
and,  by  maintaining  the  fictitious  value  given  to  the  other 
two  gold  coins,  leave  it  equivalent  to  eleven  dollars  in  Cuba. 
This,  it  is  claimed,  will  be  a very  easy  way  of  leaving  mat- 
ters in  statu  quo,  as  it  were,  until  such  time  as  permanent 
government  and  laws  shall  be  provided  for  the  Island. 
They  fear  that  to  make  the  United  States  currency  legal 
tender  would  work  an  injury  to  the  creditor  class,  whose 
contracts  would  then  be  payable  in  gold  worth  six  per  cent, 
less  than  the  gold  specified  in  such  contracts.  There  are 
others,  whose  opinions  are  equally  worthy  of  consideration, 
who  recommend  as  the  only  logical  remedy  for  this  situa- 
tion the  substitution  of  the  American  currency  as  sole  legal 
tender.  Such  action  on  the  part  of  the  United  States  Gov- 
ernment it  is  believed  would  not  seriously  interfere  with 
present  contracts,  which  are  invariably  expressed  as  payable 
in  Spanish  gold,  and  which  might  be  arranged  for  accord- 
ingly. 

The  premium  on  Spanish  gold  was  never  agreed  to  by 
the  business  people.  Having  thus  arbitrarily  put  a premium 
on  Spanish  gold,  the  same  authorities  later  put  a premium 
on  French  gold,  and  to  make  the  matter  more  complicated, 
the  United  States  Government  is  now  requested,  by  some 
of  the  Cuban  financiers,  to  introduce  another  gold  coin, 
which,  practically,  will  be  worth  ten  per  cent,  more  in  Cuba 
than  in  the  United  States ; that  is,  a man  owing  $1,100  gold 
in  Cuba  may  pay  that  debt  with  $1,000  gold  in  United  States 
currency.  As  a temporary  measure,  and  in  view  of  the  fact 
that  this  inflation  so  far  as  Spanish  coin  goes  has  been  in 
force  for  over  half  a century,  this  may  be  justifiable.  The 
process,  however,  is  entirely  artificial,  and  to  continue  it 
would  certainly  result  in  many  complications.  Some  Cuban 


26 


Industrial  Cuba 


financiers  think  it  inadvisable  to  introduce  American  money 
at  this  time,  while  certain  planters  are  fearful  lest  their 
labourers  should  refuse  to  take  one  American  silver  dollar  in- 
stead of  two  Spanish  silver  dollars.  The  latter  looks  larger 
in  amount,  it  must  be  granted;  but  if  the  purchasing  power 
of  the  American  dollar,  by  reason  of  the  sound  credit  of  the 
United  States,  is  double  that  of  the  depreciated  dollar,  with 
only  Spain’s  guaranty  between  it  and  its  intrinsic  value  of 
fifty  cents,  there  will  be  no  difficulty  in  the  end.  A country 
which  is  just  now  going  through  an  operation  involving  its 
very  existence  will  hardly  be  seriously  affected  by  taking 
this  fictitious  value  out  of  the  gold  coin  and  establishing 
once  and  for  all  a sound  currency  that  will  be  good  for  a 
hundred  cents  on  the  dollar — no  more,  no  less — the  world 
over. 

Cuba  has  no  banks  in  the  national  sense.  There  are  some 
excellent  private  banks,  and  since  its  establishment,  nearly 
half  a century  ago,  the  Spanish  Bank  of  Cuba  has  cut  an 
important  figure  in  the  finance  of  the  Island. 

In  another  chapter,  a brief  history  of  banking  in  the  Island 
from  the  earliest  period  to  the  present  time  will  be  given. 
For  the  present,  the  banking  facilities  are  adequate  to  the 
business,  because  it  would  be  extremely  hazardous  to  loan 
money  in  Cuba  on  any  kind  of  collateral  or  property.  Upon 
the  revival  of  business,  however,  the  agricultural  interests 
will  require  facilities  for  obtaining  money  in  advance  of  the 
crops  at  reasonable  rates  of  interest,  and  protection  from 
the  abominable  usury  which  heretofore  has  blighted  the 
strongest  industries  of  the  Island  and  added  materially  to 
the  burdens  of  the  Cuban  planters. 

There  are  so  many  forms  of  obnoxious  taxes  in  Cuba  that 
even  a brief  description  of  them  would  occupy  considerable 
space  and  convert  this  volume  into  a treatise  on  the  evils  of 
Spanish  taxation.  Foremost  among  the  taxes  which  the 
United  States  will  abolish  is  the  “ consumption  tax,”  on  the 
killing  of  cattle,  which  is  an  exaction  that  greatly  increases 
the  price  of  food  to  the  people.  This  tax,  like  many  others, 


Conditions  which  Confront  Us 


27 


was  simply  farmed  out  to  private  firms  or  corporations, 
whose  emissaries  in  its  collection  became  a constant  menace 
to  thrift  and  industry  in  their  respective  districts.  Another 
tax,  which  will  fall  of  its  own  weight,  now  that  the  United 
States  forces  control  the  Island,  is  the  “ cedula,”  or  head  tax, 
which  varied  in  amount  from  a few  cents  to  one  hundred 
dollars,  according  to  the  rank  and  importance  of  the  indi- 
vidual. Curiously  enough,  this  tax,  when  not  collected, 
became  under  Spanish  rule  a greater  source  of  injustice  and 
annoyance  than  when  collected.  It  was  generally  allowed 
to  run  until  some  occasion  came  for  the  unhappy  victim  of 
Spanish  rapacity  to  require  a public  document,  a permit  to 
bury  a child  or  relative,  a licence  to  marry,  a transfer  of  real 
estate,  or  a notarial  acknowledgment.  Then  it  was  that  the 
petty  rascals  in  charge  of  public  business  came  down  heavily, 
and  unless  the  fines  and  back  “ cedula  ” and  a handsome 

gratification  ” to  the  official  was  forthcoming,  the  body 
must  await  interment,  the  marriage  must  be  postponed,  or 
the  transaction  be  delayed. 

The  United  States  Government  will  not  continue  taxes 
that  yield  nothing  in  revenue  and  were  simply  the  means  by 
which  unprincipled  officials  whose  cupidity  seemed  to  know 
no  bounds  were  enabled  to  plunder  and  distress  the  weak 
and  the  unfortunate.  The  “ consumption  tax,”  the  “ ce- 
dula,” and  the  revenue  from  “ lotteries,”  must  necessarily 
disappear  with  the  advent  of  United  States  administration 
of  affairs. 

Until  the  tax  laws  of  Cuba  can  be  thoroughly  revised,  the 
revenue  from  customs,  from  the  various  forms  of  internal 
revenue  (and  there  are  many),  and  from  the  receipts  from 
taxes  upon  municipal  real  estate  will,  if  the  strictest  eco- 
nomy prevail,  suffice  for  immediate  wants,  without  resorting 
to  measures  of  taxation  which  are  alike  debasing  and  tyran- 
nical. It  is  impossible  to  make  specific  suggestions  at  this 
time  in  relation  to  a subject  so  hopelessly  complicated. 
After  the  administration  of  affairs  of  the  Island  has  been 
longer  in  the  hands  of  United  States  officials,  these  matters 


28 


Industrial  Cuba 


may  be  carefully  studied  and  adjusted  on  a basis  of  equality 
and  justice  to  all  concerned.  The  true  inwardness  of  Span- 
ish taxation,  as  developed  in  the  Island  of  Cuba,  can  be 
studied  and  remedied  only  after  time  has  elapsed  and  all 
the  facts  are  in  possession  of  those  who  have  assumed  the 
responsibility  of  control. 

The  question  of  education  is  one  that  will  receive  early 
attention,  and  in  which  the  President  of  the  United  States 
has  personally  evinced  considerable  interest.  Free  public 
schools  exist,  but  the  teachers  have  the  right  to  take  pay 
scholars,  and  naturally  those  who  do  not  pay  get  little  or 
no  attention.  In  the  cities  from  which  data  are  available  it 
was  found  that  only  a small  portion  of  the  school  population 
attend  school.  There  were  888  schools  for  boys  and  girls 
in  1893  and  the  amount  paid  for  their  support  was  $775,646. 
It  is  impossible  even  to  approximate  the  situation  at  the 
present  moment.  In  a general  way,  it  may  be  described 
as  simply  deplorable.  A free  public-school  system  must  be 
immediately  established,  for  much  of  the  misfortune  and 
suffering  Cuba  has  undergone  may  be  traceable  to  the 
neglect  of  education.  The  number  of  people  who  are  illit- 
erate is  very  great.  Some  statistics  show  only  one  in  forty 
of  the  labouring  classes  able  to  read  and  write.  There 
can  be  no  stable  government  in  Cuba  until  this  has  been 
remedied. 

The  reader  familiar  with  Cuban  history  will  remember 
that  the  first  movement  toward  the  emancipation  of  the 
slaves  was  the  practical  freeing  of  all  children  born  subse- 
quent to  1868,  the  year  the  revolution  started  which  ended 
in  the  abolition  of  slavery.  In  the  same  way,  the  first  act 
looking  toward  political  emancipation  should  be  the  esta- 
blishment of  a free  public-school  system,  which  shall  have  for 
its  aim  the  preparation  of  the  young  Cubans  for  self-govern- 
ment, whether  exercised  as  part  of  a Cuban  republic  or  part 
of  the  greater  republic  the  basis  of  which  is  industrial  free- 
dom and  the  common  school. 

Manufacturing  in  Cuba  is  limited  to  a few  industries  in 


SKETCH  MAP  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  SANTA  CLARA. 


Conditions  which  Confront  Us 


29 


Havana,  to  the  manufacture  of  sugar  and  tobacco,  and  to 
machine-shops  and  small  foundries  scattered  over  the  Island 
for  the  convenience  of  the  railway  companies,  sugar-centrals, 
and  harbours.  The  author  visited  all  the  manufacturing 
plants  in  Havana,  some  of  which  were  located  in  quarters  of 
the  city  reeking  of  filth  and  teeming  with  disease  germs. 
There  is  little  hope  for  industrial  enterprise  in  the  broader 
sense  until  the  sanitary  conditions  have  been  improved  in 
all  the  industrial  centres  of  the  Island.  The  fear  of  that 
deadly  enemy  to  all  enterprise  and  thrift,  yellow  fever, 
which  lurks  in  the  vicinity  of  the  most  flourishing  industries 
of  Havana,  makes  it  dangerous  for  those  unacclimatised  to 
enter  these  occupations.  The  initiatory  success  of  manu- 
facturing in  Cuba  must  depend  upon  the  importation  of 
skilled  labour  from  the  United  States  or  Europe.  With 
this  invisible  and  deadly  foe  in  the  background,  ready  to 
strike  when  least  expected,  and  against  which,  as  a Confed- 
erate officer  now  in  the  United  States  Army  at  Havana 
said,  “You  cannot  even  raise  an  old-fashioned  rebel  yell,” 
the  outlook  is  far  from  attractive. 

Not  only  the  commercial  prosperity  of  Cuba,  but  to  a con- 
siderable extent  that  of  the  southern  portion  of  the  United 
States  depends  upon  the  possibility  of  destroying  the  foci 
of  yellow  fever  which  exist  in  the  larger  cities  and  towns — 
especially  in  Havana  and  Matanzas — and  which  have  been 
the  cause  of  the  epidemics  of  this  disease  which  have  oc- 
curred in  the  United  States  during  the  present  century.  It 
is  believed  that  to  destroy  these  germs  is  possible,  and  from 
a mere  industrial  and  commercial  point  of  view  it  would  be 
a paying  investment  to  spend  several  millions  of  dollars,  if 
necessary,  to  effect  it.  Until  this  has  been  accomplished, 
and  the  centres  of  industrial  activity  of  Cuba  made  safe  for 
the  influx  of  skilled  artisans,  whose  advent  alone  will  make 
it  possible  for  Cuba  to  diversify  its  industries  and  elevate 
the  condition  of  its  labour,  it  will  be  vain  to  hope  for  the 
establishment  of  new  manufactures.  The  importance  of 
sanitation  is  so  great  and  the  subject  of  so  much  general 


30 


Industrial  Cuba 


interest  to  all  those  looking  towards  Cuba  with  the  idea  of 
residence  or  investment  there,  that  considerable  space  in 
this  volume  will  hereafter  be  devoted  to  a consideration  of 
the  subject. 

The  railway  system  of  Cuba,  consisting  of  seven  com- 
panies, the  aggregate  length  of  whose  lines  is  only  1,467 
kilometres,  or  917  miles,  is  entirely  inadequate  in  bringing 
the  extreme  ends  of  the  Island  together;  Santiago  and 
Havana  in  point  of  time  being  as  far  apart  as  San  Francisco 
and  New  York,  though  only  separated  by  a distance  of  a 
few  hundred  miles.  The  facts  gathered  on  this  subject  and 
the  maps  presented  elsewhere  point  to  the  advisability  of 
immediately  constructing  a trunk  railway  from  end  to  end 
of  the  Island,  with  branches  extending  north  and  south  to 
the  important  cities  and  ports.  From  whatever  standpoint 
it  may  be  viewed,  no  one  enterprise  could  do  so  much  to 
improve  the  situation  on  the  Island.  No  revolution  could 
have  existed  in  Cuba  if  such  a railroad  had  been  completed 
by  the  former  Government,  and  nothing  will  so  rapidly  tend 
to  the  revival  of  commercial  and  general  business  as  the 
facility  for  quick  passage  from  one  end  of  the  Island  to  the 
other,  and  from  the  trunk  line  over  branches  to  the  sea- 
board cities.  All  political  turbulence  will  be  quieted  thereby 
and  prevented  in  the  future.  The  entire  country  will  be 
open  to  commerce;  lands  now  of  practically  no  value,  and 
unproductive,  will  be  worked ; the  seaport  towns  will  be- 
come active  and  commerce  between  the  Island  and  the 
United  States  will  soon  be  restored  to  the  former  figures  of 
approximately  one  hundred  millions  of  dollars  per  annum. 
Business  enterprise,  ever  alert  to  conditions  such  as  herein 
described,  has  already  surveyed  the  route,  and  there  are 
several  projects  on  foot  looking  toward  prompt  action  in 
this  direction.  After  a careful  study  of  the  situation,  it 
would  seem  extremely  doubtful  if  such  an  enterprise  could 
be  made  a commercial  success  for  many  years  to  come, 
without  material  assistance  from  those  responsible  for  the 
industrial  future  of  Cuba. 


Conditions  which  Confront  Us 


3i 


The  questions  arising  in  relation  to  navigation  between 
Cuba  and  the  United  States  are  delicate,  and  involve,  as 
does  the  question  of  discriminating  duties  in  favour  of  the 
United  States,  in  a greater  or  less  degree  our  international 
relations  with  other  countries.  Those  interested  in  Ameri- 
can shipping  suggest  discrimination  in  favour  of  American 
vessels  between  Cuba  and  the  United  States,  and  some  go 
so  far  as  to  indicate  that  a joint  arrangement  of  the  Ameri- 
can and  Cuban  flags  would  be  a solution  of  the  problem. 
Much  of  this  is  mere  speculation.  We  cannot  discriminate 
in  favour  of  American  vessels  in  the  trade  between  Cuba 
and  foreign  countries,  just  as  we  cannot  do  so  in  the  case  of 
American  vessels  in  trade  between  New  York  and  foreign 
countries,  on  account  of  our  commercial  treaties.  The 
chapter  on  this  subject  has  been  submitted  to  Mr.  Eugene 
T.  Chamberlain,  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Navigation  of  the 
Treasury  Department,  and  this  experienced  and  efficient 
official  has  thrown  considerable  light  on  the  subject  which, 
it  is  believed,  will  be  of  value  to  the  commercial  interests  of 
both  Cuba  and  the  United  States. 

These  are  some  of  the  most  important  economic  questions 
with  which  the  United  States  will  be  called  upon  to  deal 
during  its  military  occupancy  of  Cuba.  That  we  are  capable 
of  dealing  with  them  intelligently  and  satisfactorily  can 
hardly  be  doubted.  Questions  of  far  greater  magnitude 
are  continually  presenting  themselves  at  home,  and  as  a rule 
the  people  of  the  United  States  have  been  found  equal  to 
the  task  of  adjustment.  To  doubt  our  capacity  as  a nation 
to  bring  about  complete  pacification  of  the  Island,  indus- 
trially and  politically,  is  to  throw  a doubt  on  our  most  cher- 
ished institutions  and  to  cast  a shadow  on  the  Republic 
itself. 


CHAPTER  III 


POLITICAL  FUTURE  OF  CUBA 
HE  political  future  of  Cuba  is  a matter  of  much  spec- 


ulation and  interest.  Considerable  will  hereafter  be 


said  in  this  volume  on  the  economic  and  industrial  future  of 
this  wonderfully  productive  Island,  and  little  doubt  can  be 
entertained  that  with  an  honest  effort  and  stable  government 
the  commercial  future  of  Cuba  will  be  full  of  promise.  What 
of  the  political  future  ? The  industrial  independence  of  the 
Island  attained,  what,  if  any,  steps  are  likely  to  be  taken  for 
the  political  independence  ? At  the  present  moment,  it  is 
difficult  to  discern  any  nucleus  around  which  is  likely  to 
crystallise  sentiment  strong  enough  to  form,  with  any  de- 
gree of  unanimity,  a cohesive,  independent  government. 
The  strongest  and  uppermost  sentiment  in  the  Island,  as  I 
have  found  it  since  the  close  of  the  war,  is  for  peace  and 
reconstruction  under  the  guidance  of  the  United  States. 
Those  who  have  made  the  greatest  sacrifice  for  independence 
are  apparently  willing  to  rest  for  a while  and  enjoy  the 
glorious  results  of  industrial  and  commercial  independence 
and  a release  for  ever  from  Spanish  misrule.  Let  the  future 
shape  its  own  political  policy,  is  the  desire  of  all  intelligent 
Cubans.  In  commercial  and  business  circles  (and  it  must 
be  remembered  that  the  author  has,  in  the  course  of  his  in- 
quiries, been  very  largely  thrown  in  contact  with  business 
people),  the  desire  for  ultimate  absorption  or  annexation  by 
the  United  States  is  almost  unanimous.  Those  who  have 
property,  those  engaged  in  industrial  pursuits,  those  carry- 
ing on  commerce,  those  interested  in  affairs,  regardless  of 


Political  Future  of  Cuba 


33 


nationality,  see  the  greatest  future  for  Cuba  in  ultimate 
annexation  to  the  United  States,  and  openly  advocate  that 
policy.  There  are  others  who  advocate  annexation  on 
grounds  of  sentiment,  and  who  take  the  stand  that  the  de- 
gree of  real  freedom  enjoyed  by  a State  of  the  Republic  is 
greater,  and  the  advantages  far  in  excess  of  those  likely 
to  accrue  to  the  mixed  population  of  Cuba  by  the  establish- 
ment of  any  sort  of  independent  government.  This  is  not 
a matter  for  surprise  when  it  is  recalled  that  a large  propor- 
tion of  the  most  enlightened  Cubans  have  been  educated  in 
the  United  States,  while  no  inconsiderable  number  of  the 
most  active  participants  in  the  war  for  Cuban  freedom  carried 
individually,  alike  into  battle  and  into  conference,  the  grand- 
est badge  of  freedom  so  far  vouchsafed  to  mankind — United 
States  citizenship. 

These  ideas  are  admirably  set  forth  in  a pamphlet  just 
written  by  Fran  Figueras,  who  makes  an  eloquent  plea  for 
the  annexation  of  Cuba  to  the  United  States.  The  title  of 
the  little  book — for  it  is  more  than  a pamphlet — suggests  the 
line  of  argument : Cuba  Libre — Independence  or  Annexation. 
Exactly!  Cuba  is  free  to-day  ! Liberty  came  when  Spanish 
sovereignty  ended.  Adapting  the  lines  of  Kipling,  the 
Cubans  may  truthfully  say: 

“ If  blood  be  the  price  of  liberty, 

Lord  God,  we  ha’  bought  it  fair.” 

Liberty,  therefore,  has  been  won  and  paid  for.  By  the 
very  nature  of  things  there  can  be  no  forcible  annexation  to 
the  nation  representing  the  absolute  liberties  of  the  people. 
If  Cuba  becomes  part  of  the  United  States,  it  will  be  be- 
cause the  Cubans,  having  won  their  liberty,  shall  so  decree. 
Intelligent  Cubans  understand  this  perfectly  well  and  none 
better  than  the  author  referred  to  above. 

After  reviewing  the  state  of  public  opinion  in  Spain  late 
in  1896  and  the  sentiments  predominating  in  Cuba  among 
the  native  population  in  regard  to  the  mutual  relations  with 
the  mother  country,  Mr.  Figueras  analyses  the  present 


34 


Industrial  Cuba 


situation,  and  considers  that  public  opinion  in  Cuba  is 
divided  into  three  classes.  Those  wanting: 

1.  Immediate  and  absolute  independence. 

2.  Independence  under  American  protectorate. 

3.  Annexation,  more  or  less  immediate. 

He  allows  independence  to  be  the  ideal  of  all  peoples, 
but  considers  Cuban  independence  to  be  still  in  embryo,  and 
compares  the  sudden  liberation  of  the  island  from  Spanish 
dominion  to  a premature  birth,  brought  on  by  American  in- 
tervention and  subject  to  the  dangers  attending  its  early 
advent  at  an  unexpected  time.  The  author  contends  that  to 
form  a nation  it  is  important  that  the  inhabitants  shall  have 
some  common  interests,  usually  apparent  in  countries  where 
one  element  predominates.  He  finds  that  in  Cuba  there  are 
three  races  equally  strong:  the  autochthonic  or  white  Cuban 
(pure  white),  the  Cuban  with  unmistakable  and  acknow- 
ledged signs  of  black  descent,  and  the  white  Spaniard;  the 
first  of  which  by  its  number,  the  second  by  its  greater  acclima- 
tion, and  the  third  by  its  wealth  preserve  the  balance.  The 
fact  that  these  people  do  not  live  in  different  provinces  but 
in  the  same  places  makes  this  adjustment  all  the  more  notice- 
able. Sometimes  in  one  house  you  will  see  a patriarchal 
Spanish  father  with  conservative  ideas  in  the  same  room 
with  his  son  of  high-flown,  Robespierre-like  ideas,  convinced 
that  a country  progresses  more  in  a year  of  revolution  than 
in  a century  of  peaceful  campaigning ; while  in  a dark  corner 
the  negro  servant,  a slave  only  yesterday,  to-day  free  and 
taking  an  interest  by  no  means  meagre  in  the  revolutionary 
legend,  curses  his  colour  but  does  not  fail  to  realise  how 
better  fitted  he  is  for  rough  work  than  his  white  neighbours. 


“ And  in  the  present  situation  which,  pray,  of  these  elements,” 
the  author  asks,  “ is  victorious  ? Which  has  conquered  and  is 
ready  to  take  under  its  protecting  aegis  the  other  two  ? Is  it  per- 
chance the  revolutionary  party  that  has  had  its  work  crowned 
with  success  and  that  can  therefore  force  its  criterion  of  inde- 
pendence on  all  the  inhabitants  ? Facts  answer  this  question 


Political  Future  of  Cuba 


35 


negatively  and  it  would  be  sheer  madness  to  constitute  one  na- 
tion out  of  such  heterogeneous  elements.” 

The  author  establishes  comparisons  with  the  other  south- 
ern republics,  contends  that  Cuba  will  be  in  a chronic  state 
of  revolution  if  left  to  herself,  calls  attention  to  the  handi- 
cap to  Cuban  sugar,  tobacco,  and  coffee  industries  by  the 
annexation  of  Puerto  Rico  and  the  Philippines,  and  asks  if 
it  is  to  be  expected  that  the  United  States  understands  that 
her  interest  in  Cuba’s  welfare  is  to  justify  damaging  that  of 
the  new  colonies  for  Cuba’s  exclusive  benefit. 

Arguing  against  a protectorate,  the  author  calls  attention 
to  the  fact  that  Cuba  has  nothing  to  fear  from  foreign 
nations.  Her  dangers  are  at  home;  it  is  pronunciamentos 
and  the  like  that  threaten,  and  a protectorate  will  not  avoid 
this;  it  is  only  absolute  annexation  that  will. 

” If  before  1895,”  continues  the  author  of  Cuba  Libre, 
' ' all  Cubans  were  satisfied  with  a Canadian  autonomy  system 
given  by  Spain,  why  should  the  United  States  be  refused  a 
trust  given  to  a nation  like  Spain,  which  has  treated  Cuba 
with  injustice,  bad  government,  and  extortion,  against  the 
tested  ‘ cash  ’ good  faith  of  the  other  ? ” 

Refuting  arguments  upon  the  offensiveness  of  annexation 
to  Cuban  dignity,  the  author  calls  attention  to  the  fact  that 
dignity  does  not  always  accompany  independence,  as,  for 
example,  it  is  often  seen  how  an  English,  German,  or  Italian 
schoolship  silences  the  dignity  of  some  independent  states 
by  firing  a few  shots. 

In  conclusion  he  says: 

“ We  Cubans  have  been  tyrannised  by  an  unscrupulous  mother 
country  and  the  proceeding  has  dishonoured  the  nation  which  did 
so,  and  we  victims  have  withstood  the  humiliation  with  dignity. 
We  stood  with  dignity  when  we  were  burdened  with  a system  of 
colonial  servitude,  it  was  with  dignity  that  we  rebelled,  staining 
the  chains  that  bound  us  with  our  own  and  foreign  blood;  we 
have  kept  our  dignity  whilst  the  Americans  have  cut  them  for  us; 
when  to-morrow  comes,  and  we  ask  for  annexation  to  the  United 
States,  we  shall  do  so  with  the  same  dignity.” 


36 


Industrial  Cuba 


There  is  sentiment,  force,  and  good  hard  business  sense 
in  this  attitude.  A flag,  after  all,  is  nothing  in  itself, 
but  all  in  what  it  represents.  The  Stars  and  Stripes  have 
for  a century  or  more  represented  human  liberty  and  have 
taken  into  their  folds  millions  of  the  people  of  the  old  world. 
The  historic  flags  of  all  nations  have  been  fully  and  freely 
and  joyously  repudiated  by  them,  in  search  of  broader 
liberties,  for  that  fascinating  emblem  of  the  people’s  rights; 
and  under  it  scarred  and  impoverished  Cuba  may  in  truth 
rest  with  dignity  and  content. 

Adolfo  Mufioz,  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  thoughtful 
Cubans  it  has  been  my  pleasure  to  meet,  gave  utterance  to 
similar  views  in  relation  to  the  future  of  Cuba,  though  he 
approached  the  subject  more  from  a commercial  than  a 
sentimental  point  of  view. 

“ A new  community,”  said  Mr.  Munoz  to  the  author,  “ par- 
ticularly a small  one,  after  a long  and  destructive  war,  is  always 
surrounded  by  many  dangers,  both  internal  and  external;  and 
the  only  safety  Cuba  may  find  against  them  is  a close  connection 
with  the  United  States  which  will  afford  the  immediate  protec- 
tion of  the  American  Government.  Cuba  left  alone  could  not 
enjoy  a high  credit,  either  public  or  private;  neither  could  she 
build  a respectable  navy,  which  her  geographical  position  renders 
necessary.  In  these,  and  in  many  other  respects,  Cuba  has  to 
depend  exclusively  on  the  United  States.  The  political  con- 
nection between  both  countries  becomes  consequently  a matter 
of  extreme  importance,  which  cannot  be  discussed,  and  much 
less  decided  upon,  in  haste.” 

Continuing,  Mr.  Munoz  said: 

“ The  liberty  which,  by  the  aid  of  the  United  States,  Cuba  has 
now  conquered,  will  enable  her  to  frame  an  entirely  new  tariff. 
This  work,  which  must  be  done  in  accordance  with  other  financial 
laws,  will  prove  to  be  a rather  easy  task,  because  the  commercial 
relations  between  Cuba  and  the  United  States  are  naturally  bene- 
ficial to  both  countries.  Perhaps  the  best  arrangement,  both  on 
commercial  and  political  grounds,  would  be  to  convert  these  re- 


Political  Future  of  Cuba 


37 


lations  into  a coastwise  trade,  so  that  the  productions  of  either 
country  should  be  admitted  free  of  duty  in  the  other;  provided 
that  the  question  of  the  United  States  sugar  industry  could  be 
settled  by  means  of  some  compensation  or  otherwise.  Cuba  ex- 
pects to  be  placed,  in  what  respects  custom  duties,  on  the  same 
footing  as  Puerto  Rico;  as  it  is  necessary  to  save  her  sugar  in- 
dustry from  its  present  depression  and  ruin.” 

Here  is  annexation  clearly  marked  out  though  not  actually 
advocated.  A country  without  credit  cannot  start  up  the 
machinery  of  government.  To  make  the  trade  coastwise 
for  Cuba,  as  we  have  already  done  in  the  case  of  Puerto 
Rico,  means  ultimate  annexation.  If,  therefore,  as  Mr. 
Mufioz  says,  Cuba  “ expects  to  be  placed  on  the  same  foot- 
ing as  Puerto  Rico,”  she  expects  annexation — nothing  more, 
nothing  less. 

Attention  is  next  directed  to  another,  though  not  less  in- 
teresting view  of  the  future  of  Cuba.  When  in  Cienfuegos 
the  author  had  the  honour  and  pleasure  of  meeting  the 
Marquis  de  Apezteguia,  President  of  the  Conservative  party, 
and,  although  a Cuban  born,  a strong  sympathiser  with 
Spain.  There  are  few  abler  men  in  Cuba  than  the  Marquis 
de  Apezteguia.  Educated  in  London,  Paris,  and  Madrid, 
and  at  home  in  the  best  circles  of  New  York,  the  Marquis 
is,  in  a sense,  a cosmopolitan.  His  interests,  however,  are 
all  bound  up  in  Cuba.  If  Cuba  once  more  flourishes  the 
Marquis  will  become  rich  again ; if  it  does  not  his  large 
fortune  will  have  gone,  and  he  himself  have  been  reduced 
to  penury.  Asked  to  give  his  opinion  of  the  present  and 
future  condition  of  the  Island  of  Cuba,  the  Marquis  de  Apez- 
teguia did  so  without  hesitation,  clothing  his  thoughts  in 
English  so  pointed  and  vigorous  that  it  would  be  an  injust- 
ice tc  the  reader  to  abridge  or  change  it,  and  it  is  therefore 
made  part  of  this  chapter. 

“ In  regard  to  the  disposition  of  Cuba,”  said  the  Marquis  de 
Apezteguia  to  the  author,  ” you  have  first  of  all  to  consider  the 
population  of  the  Island,  then  you  have  its  geographical  position, 


38 


Industrial  Cuba 


which  makes  it  of  importance  to  the  United  States;  nay,  if  there 
is  anything  in  geographical  position,  which  makes  it  dependent 
upon  the  United  States.  Key  West  is  not  an  offensive  position, 
it  is  simply  a defensive  position  for  the  United  States,  because  it 
commands  the  defence  of  the  American  coasts.  The  defence  of 
your  coast,  with  the  Island  of  Cuba,  is  trebled  with  the  same 
number  of  vessels,  as  its  750  miles  practically  makes  the  Gulf  an 
inland  sea,  outside  of  the  possibility  of  incursions  from  foreigners. 
Up  to  Cape  Hatteras,  Cuba  defends  your  eastern  coast.  There- 
fore, to  you  as  a military  nation  and  as  a naval  power,  Cuba  is  a 
necessity;  without  Cuba,  you  have  simply  Key  West,  and  Cuba 
is  an  excellent  substitute  for  Key  West.  Having  this  naval  de- 
fence, which  makes  the  United  States  non-attackable  from  Cape 
Hatteras  to  the  Rio  Grande,  with  how  much  more  efficacy,  and 
without  danger,  you  can  move  your  armies!  Cuba  is  of  immense 
value  to  the  United  States,  and  therefore  from  that  point  of  view 
we  will  develop  the  others.  Under  the  naval  and  military  aspect 
in  regard  to  the  concentration  of  the  army,  we  command  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico  as  an  inland  sea  of  the  United  States,  and  we  are 
the  principal  factor  in  the  trans-oceanic  traffic. 

“ The  Cuban  question  is  not  a difficult  one,  because  there  is 
an  imposed  issue.  In  commercial  development,  to  all  evidence, 
you  have  been  a long  time  a borrowing  country,  but  to-day  you 
have  great  banking  centres:  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and  Boston 
constituting  an  eastern  centre;  Chicago,  St.  Louis,  and  Cincinnati 
constituting  another;  with  a smaller  one  at  New  Orleans,  and  a 
western  one  at  San  Francisco.  Certain  centres,  such  as  the  New 
York  one,  which  has  an  excess  of  capital,  will  act  in  this  annexa- 
tion of  Cuba  as  a multiple  in  the  matter  of  capital.  The  capital 
will  in  preference  come  to  Cuba,  instead  of  going  west. 

“ In  the  political  problem,  the  condition  of  the  population  of 
Cuba  must  be  considered.  It  is  not  a new  country,  but  four 
hundred  years  old, — a totally  different  nation,  with  different 
habits,  ways,  and  languages.  Then  how  can  you  profitably  ab- 
sorb that  population  as  a State  ? You  cannot  afford  to  sacrifice 
the  United  States  for  Cuba,  but  must  lend  Cuba  both  moral  and 
material  riches  without  forgetting  yourself.  Is  it  profitable  for 
the  United  States  to  absorb  Cuba  as  a State  ? If  I were  an 
American,  I would  oppose  it.  I do  not  think  the  Cuban  people 


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Political  Future  of  Cuba 


39 


have  sufficient  adaptation;  in  fact  they  will  not  Americanise  for 
quite  a while,  and  therefore  you  must  create  an  empire  and  a 
public  right  that  is  not  within  the  federal  bounds.  Your  terri- 
torial laws  pursue  colonisation  towards  the  end  of  absorption, 
and  have  placed  in  your  Constitution  a limit  of  population,  which 
we  initially  possess.  Were  I an  American,  I would  not  be  for 
annexation  of  Cuba  as  one  of  the  units  of  the  Union.  I think 
there  is  a condition  of  injustice  which  would  be  felt  by  both 
parties,  if  you  held  Cuba  in  an  inferior  political  state  so  close  to 
Florida.  I say  that  this  is  inevitably  American,  from  the  material 
defence  which  it  procures  to  the  United  States,  and  it  is  a mil- 
itary necessity.  It  cannot,  however,  be  absorbed  and  governed 
rapidly,  and  for  a time  you  will  have  to  create  a new  political 
right,  for  it  is  inevitable.  You  cannot  absorb  it  without  creating 
a different  political  right. 

“ Now  I have  said  that,  in  my  belief,  the  issue  is  imposed  and 
inevitable;  Cuba  has  to  be  American  territory,  and  cannot  be  any- 
thing else,  with  restringent  or  lax  ties  uniting  it;  but  in  the  ex- 
terior life  it  will  have  to  be  American.  You  have  no  laws  so  far 
that  can  be  established  here;  the  new  political  right  will  have  to 
be  created  because  of  the  way  in  which  you  acquired  the  Island. 
You  cannot  govern  it  until  you  give  it  those  things  which  have 
been  assured  it.  You  have  acquired  responsibilities  which  you 
are  not  at  liberty  to  throw  away  and  go  back  on;  that  is  your 
position  towards  Cuba  and  towards  the  world,  and  therefore 
towards  yourself.  The  American  people  must  not  feel  that  they 
are  making  of  Cuba  a business,  but  a necessity,  to  be  maintained 
by  force  if  necessary  until  evolution  can  be  accomplished. 

“ Since  we  see  the  problem  is  one  with  an  imposed  ultimate 
solution,  the  easiest  way  is  to  continue  the  same  action  that 
brought  the  Island.  You  need,  as  a guaranty  to  yourself,  and 
to  the  Cubans  not  in  arms  (which  are  the  majority),  a material 
force  here  that  cannot  be  disputed  with  any  chance  of  success. 
After  Spain  has  abandoned  her  sovereignty  here  you  are  under 
the  responsibility  of  keeping  a force  here  which  will  make  it  a 
crazy  enterprise  to  dispute.  This  is  a moral  duty  which  you  are 
obliged  to  fulfil;  you  cannot  have  the  excuse  of  want  of  power 
that  Spain  had.  The  first  element  of  success  is  the  destruction 
beforehand  of  all  insurgent  or  insurrection  element.  All  minor 


40 


Industrial  Cuba 


things  should  be  put  aside  and  the  American  mind  have  a national 
policy  toward  the  colonisation  and  final  prosperity  of  Cuba.  You 
do  not  want  the  Cuban  question  to  become  one  of  those  burning 
questions  of  American  politics;  but  it  will,  unless  you  have 
strength  to  determine  it  in  the  way  it  should  go.  If  it  is  dis- 
puted now  in  the  transient  state,  you  will  convert  it  into  an 
interior  American  question,  which  would  make  things  worse  than 
if  you  had  never  come  into  the  thing  at  all.  It  is  the  duty  of 
your  Administration  to  mark  out  these  lines  and  tell  the  American 
people  that  it  is  a duty  outside  of  small  political  lines. 

What  is  the  duty  of  the  Cuban  people  ? Your  trouble  comes 
from  having  to  handle  an  unknown  land.  The  business  of  the 
President  is,  not  to  show  business  people  how  they  can  make 
money,  but  to  show  the  people  their  duty,  and  leave  the  rest  to 
American  ingenuity.  The  Cubans  are  a good  people.  The 
population  is  divided  about  equally  between  whites  and  blacks 
and  has  decreased  about  one  third  during  the  war.  I do  not  wish 
to  discuss  the  inferiority  of  the  black  race,  but,  so  far  as  I can 
see  in  this  country,  from  whatever  cause,  they  do  not  meet  worry. 
The  act  of  force  is  the  determining  one  with  them,  and  in  it  they 
are  of  great  value.  In  all  other  social  determinations  they  count 
very  little  indeed.  From  this  you  derive  two  lines  of  conduct  : 
you  must  try  to  satisfy  the  whites  as  far  as  possible,  and  you 
must  content  the  black  so  that  he  will  not  lend  his  brutal  force 
to  the  discontent  of  the  white.  The  insurrection  caused  a great 
fraternity,  that  is  to  say,  the  distinction  of  race  which  existed 
before  the  war  does  not  exist  now.  This  is  not,  however,  one  of 
the  elements  that  is  going  to  cause  trouble,  if  you  do  not  let 
them  conflict.  The  insurgents  have  fought  many  years  for  inde- 
pendence, making  great  sacrifices  for  the  sake  of  it,  and  there- 
fore they  will  not  be  satisfied  with  anything  short  of  independence. 

If  you  leave  them  in  the  future  to  their  own  inferior  force,  I do 
not  think  there  will  be  a strong  fight  towards  acquiring  total  inde- 
pendence in  the  exterior  world,  because  they  recognise  the  fact 
that  their  country  is  comparatively  small  and  the  United  States  is 
large,  but  if  these  people  see  that  this  independence  at  any  mo- 
ment is  not  given  to  them,  they  will  rise  in  arms — to  what  extent  I 
do  not  know.  A man  who  has  lost  family,  suffered  sickness,  and 
has  no  interest  now  in  the  home  where  he  was  born,  is  a very  re- 


Political  Future  of  Cuba 


4i 


duced  moral  being.  He  has  not  the  energies  of  a total  being. 
The  Island  of  Cuba  has  been  debased  by  a war  of  extermination, 
brought  about  by  its  own  manner  of  warfare,  and  by  the  Spanish 
warfare.  The  Island  of  Cuba  is  now  totally  inert  and  totally  in- 
capable of  any  governing  faculties,  not  only  because  of  the  dead, 
but  by  making  the  rich  poor,  by  making  the  poor  indigent,  and 
the  indigent  dying.  You  have  in  the  Island  of  Cuba  a reduced 
specimen  both  of  material  and  moral  wealth,  and  these  indi- 
viduals are  not  capable  of  determinations  of  value  and  worth  to- 
wards the  natural  end  of  civilisation.  You  then  see  how  much 
you  can  depend  on  the  help  of  the  individual.  If  you  attempt 
to  govern  by  carpet-bag  legislation,  you  will  bring  on  an  insur- 
rection. If  you  help  the  indigent,  and  bring  them  to  a condition 
like  they  were  before  the  war,  you  will  do  them  no  good.  There- 
fore, you  must  have  a force  to  establish  an  indisputable  power, 
and  then  you  must  have  a policy  in  which  each  one  finds  a solu- 
tion to  his  own  interest  and  welfare,  under  the  idea  that  the 
Cuban  people  are  unable  to  take  care  of  themselves  to-day,  and 
that  none  of  them  have  definite  ideas  or  definite  plans  for  their 
welfare.  These  plans  must  come  through  a strange  guidance 
and  not  from  the  Cubans.  I have  on  the  Constancia  in  my  care 
about  five  thousand  people  to-day,  whom  I have  helped  all  I 
could.  I shall  have  to  employ  means  of  coercion  to  throw  these 
people  outside  of  my  house,  so  little  is  the  sense  of  dignity  in 
them  to-day,  and  shall  have  to  give  them  lands,  and  help  them,  in 
order  to  get  them  to  find  their  own  way  in  life.  This  is  the  real 
condition  of  things.  The  more  energetic  element  is  the  one  in 
the  insurrection,  but  these  on  my  estate  are  such  as  constitute 
the  element  which  took  no  sides  but  suffered  the  distress  of  both. 

“ The  size  of  property  was  one  of  the  causes  of  the  war,  to- 
gether with  the  total  neglect  of  the  lower  orders  of  population. 

“ Of  the  element  in  arms,  you  have  to  distinguish  between 
those  who  made  the  war  and  those  who  are  wittily  called  the 
‘ Veterans  of  1898  ’ — about  one  half  are  Veterans  of  1898.  These 
people  have  energy,  and  these  people  have  accustomed  them- 
selves to  that  life  of  civil  warfare,  but  their  condition  is  very  bad 
to-day,  and  because  of  this  they  would  like  to  come  into  order, 
although  they  have  great  inclination  to  continue.  This  is  about 
the  only  energy  left  here,  but  it  will  be  of  no  use  to  you  except 


42 


Industrial  Cuba 


by  getting  these  people  out  of  the  way.  They  have  gone  to  war 
and  acquired  honours  and  salary  to  the  extent  of  probably  $10,- 
000,000.  The  only  way  you  can  do  is  to  offer  them  the  security 
of  what  they  have  acquired  so  far  as  material  welfare  is  con- 
cerned, that  is,  their  salaries.  It  would  be  an  error  not  to  give 
it  all  to  them.  If  you  give  them  work  in  the  face  of  that  inert 
mass  I have  shown  you,  and  let  them  see  their  superiority,  giving 
them  certain  annuities  or  monthly  payments,  you  can  bridge  over 
the  troublesome  part  of  this  population,  but  you  cannot  do  it 
through  their  moral  nature.  You  will  have  to  bridge  over  several 
months  by  a strong  occupation,  by  destroying  the  insurgent 
energy,  by  helping  the  other  people,  and  by  drawing  general  lines 
which  all  parties  in  the  United  States  will  accept.  You  must 
outline  a distinct  American  policy  which  must  be  followed  by 
both  parties,  and  which  no  party  can  differ  from.  With  these 
conditions  you  will  have  no  trouble  in  the  Island  of  Cuba. 

“ If  y°u  name  your  high  officials  Cubans,  this  will  run  off  into 
Cuban  solution,  and  not  American.  If  the  occupation  is  made 
by  sufficient  force,  and  you  name  only  a few  high  officials  who 
ha\  e the  confidence  of  the  Administration  and  have  a general 
plan  to  carry  through,  and  these  appoint  lower  officials,  taking 
the  best  class  of  Cubans  and  insurgents,  the  problem  is  solved. 
As  a Spaniard  born  in  Cuba  and  wishing  this  country  all  the 
good  I can,  I think  it  would  be  absurd  to  hope  for  the  peace  of 
the  Island  without  a strong  military  force.  The  place  must  be 
occupied  on  strategic  lines  and  not  as  Spain  occupied  it,  and 
with  good  means  of  communication.  This  is  the  solution  of  the 
question.  If  this  is  not  done,  guerrilla  warfare  will  have  the  ad- 
vantage and  it  will  be  the  same  as  when  the  Island  was  occupied 
by  the  Spanish  forces;  there  were  no  enemies  and  no  battles  and 
it  was  like  making  a cavalry  charge  on  a cloud  or  a mist.” 

The  above  is  a vigorous  statement  of  the  situation  from 
the  standpoint  of  one  who  has  lost  his  all,  not  in  fighting  for 
independence,  but  in  a contest  for  what  he  believed  was  a 
strong  government.  The  Marquis  wastes  no  sentiment. 
He  tells  some  hard  truths  which  all  who  know  Cuba  will 
recognise  as  such.  Few  foreigners  know  the  United  States 
better  than  the  Marquis  de  Apezteguia  and  few  have  his 


Political  Future  of  Cuba 


43 


ability  of  touching  the  weak  spots  in  our  armour.  He  tells 
us  we  cannot  absorb  Cuba,  and  as  an  American  he  would 
oppose  annexation.  These  observations,  as  well  as  some 
others,  will  delight  Mr.  Andrew  Carnegie,  Mr.  Edward 
Atkinson,  Mr.  Charles  Francis  Adams,  and  other  opponents 
of  annexation.  The  talk  of  strategic  necessity,  the  exertion 
of  power,  and  the  material  force  necessary  to  make  Cuba 
American  territory  will  give  these  gentlemen  who  have 
raised  the  anti-imperialist  cry  sentences  which  will  greatly 
increase  their  stock  of  phrases,  but  in  no  way  solve  the 
question  of  what  shall  be  done  with  our  new  possessions. 
Indeed,  the  Marquis,  consoling  the  so-called  anti-imperial- 
ists with  his  well  turned  sentences,  offers  them  medicine 
more  stringent  and  a remedy  more  drastic  than  annexation. 
The  word  “ Empire  ” has  no  terror  for  this  Cuban-born 
Spaniard.  You  must  create  an  Imperialistic  policy,  or 
right,  not  granted  in  the  Federal  Constitution,  you  must 
maintain  American  ascendency  at  any  cost,  and  do  your 
duty  toward  the  people  of  Cuba  and  the  people  of  the 
world.  Cuba  must,  for  all  time  to  come,  be  American  ter- 
ritory. It  is  only  by  a policy  of  this  sort  the  Marquis 
thinks  we  shall  succeed.  In  carrying  out  this  plan,  we  are 
warned  not  to  allow  the  Cuban  question  to  become  a burn- 
ing question  of  American  policy,  but  we  are  enjoined  to 
hold  up  President  McKinley’s  hands  in  establishing  a stable 
government  in  Cuba.  It  must  not  be  made  into  a business, 
but  a necessity.  Carpet-bag  legislation,  he  thinks,  would 
bring  on  an  insurrection.  In  this  the  Marquis  is  un- 
doubtedly right.  Lastly,  he  offers  the  good  advice  that 
something  must  be  done  and  done  quickly  for  the  insurgents 
in  arms,  whose  deplorable  condition  he  vividly  portrays. 
That  these  soldiers  should  be  speedily  paid  off  there  can  be 
no  doubt,  for  until  that  is  done,  the  rural  districts  of  Cuba 
can  never  become  productive. 

Presumptuous  as  it  may  be  to  pass  judgment  on  the  utter- 
ances of  a man  of  such  wide  range  of  experience  in  Cuba  as 
the  Marquis  de  Apezteguia,  I believe  the  President  of  the 


44 


Industrial  Cuba 


late  Conservative  party  of  Cuba  underestimates  the  Cuban 
capacity,  both  for  self-government  and  for  annexation  to  the 
United  States.  The  work  of  final  absorption  may  take  a 
generation,  but  it  will  surely  come.  Once  annexed,  Cuba 
would  become  an  English-speaking  country,  and  the  alert 
Cuban  mind  would  grasp  those  great  principles  of  funda- 
mental liberty  with  far  greater  alacrity  than  the  Spanish. 
Let  the  word  go  forth  to  teach  English  in  every  school- 
house  in  Cuba,  and  the  work  of  amalgamation  would  be  half 
done.  The  more  the  Cubans  know  of  the  United  States 
and  of  our  institutions,  the  better  they  will  like  us.  As 
confidence  takes  the  place  of  distrust  in  the  minds  of  the 
population  of  Cuba, — native  or  foreign-born,  black  or  white, 
— the  sooner  all  will  reach  the  conclusion  that  the  most 
promising  future  for  Cuba  can  only  be  attained  by  complete 
union  with  the  greater  Republic. 

In  support  of  this  opinion  as  to  the  political  future  of 
Cuba  it  is  only  necessary  to  quote  the  utterance  of  one 
whose  opportunity  for  making  such  a forecast  has  been  ex- 
ceptional. Major-General  Matthew  C.  Butler,  of  South 
Carolina,  combines  in  his  make-up  and  experience  both 
soldier  and  statesman.  The  Confederate  cause  can  point  to 
no  more  brave  and  capable  officer  than  General  Butler.  For 
sixteen  years  he  represented  his  State  in  the  United  States 
Senate,  and  during  that  period  grappled  with  all  the  im- 
portant questions  of  the  day.  No  man  on  the  Cuban  Evac- 
uation Commission  was  so  well  equipped  to  study  the  political 
and  economic  side  of  the  Cuban  question  as  General  Butler; 
and  no  man  took  so  much  pains  to  ascertain  the  facts  in 
relation  to  the  condition  and  sentiment  of  the  people  of 
Cuba.  For  a month  last  autumn  the  author  was  daily  and 
closely  associated  with  General  Butler  at  the  Vedado,  near 
Havana,  where  the  Military  Commission  had  its  headquar- 
ters. Between  acquaintances  of  many  years,  in  Wash- 
ington, it  is  not  strange  that  conversation  during  those  long 
evenings  at  the  Hotel  Trotcha  turned  on  the  future  of  Cuba 
and  that  the  exchange  of  thought  was  both  free  and  frank. 


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SKETCH  MAP  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  SANTIAGO  DE  CUBA. 


Political  Future  of  Cuba 


45 


Summed  up,  the  opinion  of  General  Butler  on  the  future  of 
Cuba  is  as  follows: 

“ You  ask  an  expression  of  my  opinion  before  leaving  Cuba  as 
to  the  character  of  the  people  of  the  Island  and  their  future  pro- 
spects. If  they  will  be  patient,  following  the  dictates  of  prud- 
ence, and  trust  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  a very 
prosperous  and  happy  future  awaits  them.  The  process  of  re- 
habilitation may  be  slow,  but  by  cordial  co-operation  of  all  classes 
it  will  be  more  certain  and  permanent. 

“ The  army  of  the  United  States  is  here  to  guarantee  public 
order  and  enforce  obedience  to  law.  Its  use  will  be  controlled 
very  largely  by  the  conduct  of  the  people  themselves.  If  they 
uphold  the  law  and  insure  public  tranquillity,  if  each  will  respect 
the  rights  and  persons  of  the  other,  there  will  be  no  occasion  for 
interference  by  American  troops.  And  you  may  take  my  word 
for  it  they  will  not  interfere  with  the  people  in  their  peaceful 
vocations,  if  the  conditions  I have  suggested  prevail. 

“ The  officers  and  soldiers  on  duty  in  the  Island  of  Cuba  are 
American  citizens  as  well  as  American  soldiers,  accustomed  to 
rendering  loyal  obedience  to  law;  and  they  will  not  abandon  on 
this  Island  their  devotion  to  the  principles  of  American  liberty 
regulated  by  law.  I therefore  repeat  that  the  people  of  Cuba 
may  safely  trust  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  United  States  to 
establish  and  maintain  the  principles  of  government  as  set  forth 
in  our  Constitution  and  laws,  which  mean  freedom,  not  licen- 
tiousness, and  equality  before  the  law  for  all. 

“ We  have  no  such  thing  as  ‘ one  man  power  ’ in  the  United 
States,  and  cannot  so  far  depart  from  our  devotion  to  popular 
liberty  as  to  tolerate  it  here.  So  I say,  if  the  people  of  Cuba  (I 
include  in  the  word  ‘ people  ’ all  classes  and  conditions)  will 
await  with  patience  and  resolution  the  establishment  of  good 
government,  honestly  and  impartially  administered,  a brilliant 
future  is  in  store  for  them.  If,  on  the  contrary,  bickerings 
among  themselves,  unreasonable  complaints,  and  demands  in  dis- 
regard of  the  rights  of  persons  and  property  should  lead  to  blood- 
shed and  breaches  of  the  peace  and  the  disturbance  of  public 
order  and  tranquillity,  as  they  most  surely  will,  the  day  of  their 
deliverance  will  be  indefinitely  deferred. 


46 


Industrial  Cuba 


“ You  ask  me  whether  I think  the  people  of  the  Island  of  Cuba 
capable  of  self-government.  This  is  a very  difficult  question  to 
answer.  I may,  however,  say  that  I have  no  sympathy  with  the 
harsh  and  unjust  judgments  of  those  who  condemn  them  without 
a hearing  and  settle  in  advance  a problem  which  requires  time 
for  solution. 

Officially  I have  no  opinion  to  express  as  to  the  status  of  such 
a commonwealth,  for  that  is  a question  to  be  settled  by  the  people 
themselves  in  their  aggregate  capacity,  but  personally  I should 
like  to  see  Cuba  a State  in  the  American  Union,  enjoying  all  the 
rights  of  local  autonomy  and  self-government  on  terms  of  equality 
with  the  other  commonwealths  of  the  United  States.  She  would 
then  have  liberty,  regulated  by  a written  constitution,  where  the 
military  is  subordinate  to  the  civil  power,  and  where  each  of  the 
three  great  co-ordinate  branches  of  the  government,  legislative, 
executive,  and  judicial,  execute  the  will  of  the  people.” 

The  above  statement,  which,  with  General  Butler’s  con- 
sent, is  made  part  of  this  chapter,  was  prepared  with  great 
precision  and  care  and  only  after  long  deliberation.  More- 
over, it  was  submitted  to  some  of  his  colleagues,  and  the 
subject-matter  fully  discussed  with  the  author,  who  is  in  full 
and  hearty  accord  with  the  views  expressed.  Officially  the 
author  has  no  opinion  to  express  as  to  the  status  of  such  a 
commonwealth,  for  the  work  committed  to  him  was  purely 
of  an  economic  and  fiscal  and  not  of  a political  character. 
Personally,  however,  the  author,  with  General  Butler,  looks 
forward  to  the  day  when  Cuba  will  be  a State  of  the  Union, 
in  the  enjoyment  of  that  full  degree  of  liberty  and  self- 
government  which  is  accorded  the  other  commonwealths  of 
the  United  States. 


CHAPTER  IV 


THE  ENGLISH  IN  JAMAICA 

HAVING  sought  light  and  information  in  relation  to  the 
future  political  government  of  Cuba  from  both  Cuban 
and  Spanish  sources,  for  the  Marquis  de  Apezteguia  is  more 
Spanish  than  Cuban,  it  may  be  well  to  ascertain  if  any 
useful  lesson  may  be  found  in  British  colonial  administra- 
tion. With  this  thought  in  view,  the  author,  after  complet- 
ing the  work  in  Cuba,  made  a brief  visit  to  the  island  of 
Jamaica.  Through  the  courtesy  of  the  American  Mail 
Steamship  Company,  the  S.S.  Admiral  Sampson  stopped 
at  Santiago  and  thus  enabled  me  to  reach  Port  Antonio, 
Jamaica,  in  seven  hours.  At  this  point  I met  Captain  L. 
D.  Baker,  the  head  of  the  vast  American  fruit  interests  of 
Jamaica,  and  with  him  visited  Kingston  and  had  an  inter- 
view with  the  Governor-General  of  Jamaica,  and  with  the 
heads  of  nearly  all  the  Departments  of  Government.  In 
this  connection  it  affords  me  pleasure  to  mention  the  name 
of  Dr.  James  Johnston,  member  of  the  Jamaica  Council  for 
St.  Ann’s  Parish  and  member  of  the  Commission  now  revis- 
ing the  revenue  law  of  Jamaica.  Dr.  Johnston  was  a fellow- 
passenger  on  the  S.S.  Sampson , on  its  return  voyage  to  the 
United  States,  and  furnished  much  valuable  explanatory 
information  in  relation  to  the  government  of  Jamaica,  for 
which  this  opportunity  is  taken  to  express  thanks. 

The  information  thus  obtained  and  the  data  gathered  from 
the  various  blue  books  and  the  reports  of  the  Royal  Com- 
mission on  the  British  West  India  Islands,  all  have  a special 
bearing  on  the  problem  the  United  States  is  now  confront- 


47 


48 


Industrial  Cuba 


ing  in  Cuba,  and  hence  on  the  political  future  of  the  Island. 
Better  to  appreciate  the  present  aims  of  British  administra- 
tion in  Jamaica,  one  should  read  the  following  extract  from 
an  article  in  the  December  number  of  Scribner's  Magazine, 
by  the  Right  Honourable  Joseph  Chamberlain,  British 
Colonial  Secretary: 

In  the  first  period  of  this  eventful  history  the  territories 
acquired  by  conquest  or  discovery  were  treated  as  possessions  to 
be  exploited  entirely  for  the  advantage  of  the  occupying  nation, 
and  little  or  no  thought  was  given  to  the  rights  or  the  interests 
either  of  the  original  inhabitants  or  of  the  colonists  who  had  dis- 
possessed them.  1 his  view  of  the  relations  between  a state  and 
its  outlying  territories  continued  more  or  less  throughout  the 
eighteenth  century,  although  the  War  of  Independence  in  America 
did  much  to  modify  and  dispel  it.  The  success  of  the  Revolution 
not  only  destroyed  the  hope  that  colonies  could  be  made  tributary 
to  the  mother  country,  but  led  ultimately  to  the  conclusion  that, 
since  they  would  never  be  a source  of  direct  revenue,  we  should 
be  better  without  colonies  at  all.  Assuming  that  an  entirely  in- 
dependent and  separate  existence  was  the  ultimate  destiny  of  all 
our  possessions  abroad,  and  believing  that  this  consummation 
would  relieve  us  of  burdensome  obligations,  we  readily  conceded 
self-government  to  the  colonies  in  the  temperate  zones,  in  the 
hopes  that  this  would  hasten  the  inevitable  and  desirable  result. 
We  found,  not  without  surprise,  that  in  spite  of  hints  to  this 
effect,  our  kinsfolk  and  fellow-subjects  resented  the  idea  of  separ- 
ation and,  fortunately  for  us,  preferred  to  remain,  each  ‘ daughter 
in  her  mother’s  house  and  mistress  in  her  own.’  Influenced  by 
the  same  idea,  we  elaborated  constitutions  by  the  score  for  every 
kind  of  tropical  dependency,  in  the  vain  expectation  that  the 
native  population  would  appreciate  forms  of  government  evolved 
in  our  own  civilisation,  and  would  learn  quickly  to  be  self-sup- 
porting and  to  develop  for  themselves  the  territories  in  which  we 
began  to  think  we  had  only  a temporary  interest.  We  were  dis- 
appointed, and  we  have  had  to  recognise  the  fact  that,  for  an  in- 
definite period  of  time,  the  ideas  and  standards  of  our  political 
and  social  order  cannot  be  intelligently  accepted  or  applied  by 
races  which  are  centuries  behind  us  in  the  process  of  national 


49 


The  English  in  Jamaica 

evolution.  The  experience  of  Hayti  and  Liberia  under  inde- 
pendent native  government,  of  many  of  the  South  American  re- 
publics, of  Egypt  and  of  India,  and  the  stagnation  of  all  tropical 
countries,  in  regard  to  matters  dependent  on  local  effort,  make 
it  evident  that  wherever  the  white  man  cannot  be  permanently 
or  advantageously  acclimatised  and  wherever,  therefore,  the 
great  majority  of  the  population  must  always  be  natives,  the  only 
security  for  good  government  and  for  the  effective  development 
of  the  resources  of  the  country  consists  in  providing  this  native 
population  with  white  superintendence,  and  with  rulers  and  ad- 
ministrators who  will  bring  to  their  task  the  knowledge  derived 
from  the  experience  of  a higher  civilisation;  and,  constantly 
changing,  will  be  always  under  the  influence  of  the  standards  and 
ideals  which  they  have  been  brought  up  to  respect. 

“ This  is  the  root  idea  of  British  administration  in  the  tropics. 
At  the  same  time  we  have  abandoned  forever  any  desire  to  secure 
tribute  from  these  possessions,  and  we  no  longer  seek  any  direct 
or  exclusive  advantage. 

“ We  find  our  profit  in  the  increased  prosperity  of  the  people 
for  whose  interests  we  have  made  ourselves  responsible,  and  in 
the  development  of,  and  access  to,  markets  which  we  open  at  the 
same  time  to  the  rest  of  the  world.  Our  primary  obligation  is  to 
maintain  peace,  and  safety  of  life  and  property,  and  equal  justice 
for  all  irrespective  of  race  or  class.  Subject  to  these  conditions, 
we  interfere  as  little  as  possible  with  native  religions,  customs,  or 
laws;  and  under  this  system  we  are  successfully  administering 
the  affairs  of  hundreds  of  millions  of  people  of  almost  every  race 
under  the  sun,  with  trifling  cost  to  the  British  taxpayer,  and  with 
the  smallest  army  of  white  soldiers  of  any  of  the  powers  of 
Europe.  In  India,  where  three  hundred  millions  of  people 
acknowledge  the  Queen  as  Empress,  the  total  white  garrison  is 
only  seventy  thousand  men;  in  Egypt,  with  a population  of  nine 
millions,  the  normal  white  garrison  is  thirty-five  hundred  men; 
while  in  Ceylon,  the  Straits  Settlements  and  protected  States,  the 
West  Indies,  and  West  Africa  not  a single  white  regiment  is  sta- 
tioned for  the  maintenance  of  our  rule,  which  is  secured  entirely 
by  coloured  soldiers  and  police  under  British  officers.  Our  ex- 
perience should  at  least  go  far  to  satisfy  the  objections  of  those 
Americans  who  anticipate  that  the  occupation  of  tropical  countries 

4 


50 


Industrial  Cuba 


would  involve  the  retention  of  vast  numbers  of  American  soldiers 
in  an  unhealthy  climate,  and  would  lay  an  intolerable  burden  on 
the  American  treasury.” 

The  Spanish  idea  in  its  government  of  Cuba  was  purely 
and  absolutely  the  idea  of  possession,  and  the  facts  pointing 
to  this  will  be  abundantly  set  forth  in  the  several  chapters 
in  this  volume  relating  to  the  fiscal,  commercial,  and  indus- 
trial condition  of  the  Island  of  Cuba.  The  work  of  recon- 
struction already  so  auspiciously  begun  by  the  United  States 
Government  in  Santiago,  and  described  in  a subsequent 
chapter,  is  absolutely  in  line  with  what  Mr.  Chamberlain 
aptly  terms  the  root  idea  of  British  administration  in  the 
tropics.  The  primary  obligation  of  the  United  States  in 
Cuba  is  to  maintain  peace,  the  safety  of  life  and  property, 
and  equal  justice  for  all,  irrespective  of  race  or  class.  The 
final  instructions  given  by  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  last  August,  to  the  author,  leaving  for  Cuba,  were 
to  the  effect  that  the  United  States  desired  to  secure  no 
tribute  from  Cuba,  that  the  work  of  reconstruction  must  be 
performed  in  the  interests  of  the  people  of  Cuba,  only,  and 
that  the  profit  to  the  United  States  must  come  in  the  in- 
creased prosperity  of  the  people  of  Cuba,  and  in  the  benefits 
accruing  from  a peaceful,  instead  of  a constantly  warring 
neighbour.  According  to  Mr.  Chamberlain,  this  is  the 
fundamental  principle  underlying  England’s  operation  in  her 
tropical  colonies. 

In  comparing  British  administration  in  Jamaica  with  any 
possible  operations  of  the  United  States  Government  in 
Cuba,  the  fact  of  the  great  difference  in  the  population 
must  be  considered.  In  Jamaica  not  over  15,000  of  the 

700.000  population  are  white.  When  England  began  to 
treat  this  island  as  a trust,  and  not  as  a possession, — say 
about  1834, — the  population  was  made  up  of  31 1,070  slaves, 

15.000  whites,  40,000  coloured,  or  brown  people,  as  they  are 
called  in  Jamaica,  and  5000  free  blacks.  In  Cuba  a major- 
ity of  the  population  are  white — the  census  of  1887  showing 
1,102,889  white  and  528,798  coloured--in  all  provinces; 


ON  THE  ROAD  TO  CASTLETON,  JAMAICA. 


The  English  in  Jamaica  51 

Matanzas,  with  forty-five  per  cent,  coloured,  and  Santiago, 
with  forty-two  per  cent,  coloured,  representing  the  strongest 
coloured  sections  of  the  Island.  That  half  a century  of  Brit- 
ish rule  in  Jamaica  has  improved  the  population  of  Jamaica, 
nearly  all  of  whom  were  slaves  when  the  work  was  begun,  is 
self-evident,  though  it  is  equally  true  that  similar  govern- 
ment in  Cuba  would  have  resulted,  by  reason  of  the  prepon- 
derance of  white  population,  in  more  far-reaching  results. 
That  is,  Cuba,  under  such  a government  as  England  has 
given  Jamaica,  would,  in  all  reasonable  probability,  have 
numbered  at  this  time  a population  of  from  four  to  five  mil- 
lions, with  a greatly  increased  commerce,  diversified  in- 
dustries, magnificent  main  and  parochial  roads,  an  adequate 
railway  system,  many  prosperous  and  well-built  cities,  and 
a degree  of  prosperity  and  civilisation  far  in  excess  of  that 
which  the  United  States  officials  found  when  they  took 
possession  of  the  Island.  With  the  disadvantages  of  race, 
with  the  scars  of  slavery,  and,  until  recently,  with  the  single 
industry  of  sugar  and  its  allied  product,  rum,  the  policy  set 
forth  so  clearly  by  Mr.  Chamberlain  has  been  successful  in 
making  habitable  and  law-abiding  and  measurably  prosper- 
ous a tropical  island  which  might  have  been  in  a condition 
little  better  than  that  of  savagery. 

To  be  sure,  England  has  not  made  Anglo-Saxons  of  these 
people,  but  it  has  made  of  them  peaceful,  law-abiding,  and, 
in  the  main,  self-respecting  citizens.  There  is  little  doubt 
that  the  bulk  of  the  inhabitants  of  Jamaica  are  in  a position 
which  compares  not  unfavourably  with  that  of  the  peasants 
of  most  countries  in  the  world.  The  facts  given  farther 
along  show  that  the  condition  of  the  labouring  classes  of 
Jamaica  is  infinitely  better  than  that  of  the  labouring 
classes — especially  the  coloured  population — of  Cuba,  who 
are  in  a deplorable  state,  even  on  plantations  where  work  is 
abundant.  The  number  of  holdings  in  Jamaica  is  92,979, 
of  which  81,924  are  under  ten  acres  each.  In  1882  there 
were  only  52,608  holdings,  of  which  43,707  were  under  ten 
acres  each.  Even  allowing  for  the  fact  that  some  persons 


52 


Industrial  Cuba 


may  hold  two  or  more  plots  of  land,  it  is  clear  that  the 
island  already  contains  a very  large  and  increasing  num- 
ber of  peasant  proprietors.  The  Crown  Land  Regulations 
offer  facilities  for  the  settlement  of  the  labouring  popula- 
tion on  the  land,  and  as  sugar  estates  are  abandoned  some 
of  them  will  probably  fall  into  the  hands  of  small  cul- 
tivators. In  the  last  ten  years  the  number  of  savings- 
bank  accounts  of  the  amount  of  twenty-five  dollars  and 
under  has  nearly  doubled.  The  census  returns  of  1891 
show  that  in  the  ten  years,  1881  to  1891,  there  had  been  an 
increase  of  thirty  per  cent,  in  the  number  of  persons  able  to 
read  and  write.  The  acreage  of  provision  grounds  has  in- 
creased more  than  thirty  per  cent,  in  ten  years.  There  are 

70.000  holdings  of  less  than  five  acres.  The  area  in  coffee, 
usually  in  small  lots,  increased  in  ten  years  from  17,000  to 

23.000  acres.  More  than  6000  small  sugar-mills  are  owned 
by  the  peasantry.  The  number  of  enrolled  scholars  was 
100,400  in  1896,  as  against  49,000  in  1881  ; while  the  actual 
average  daily  attendance  at  schools  had  increased  from  26,- 
600  to  59,600.  These  facts  indicate  considerable  advance, 
though  no  doubt  in  certain  districts  the  people  are  poor. 
The  Royal  Commission  appointed  to  investigate  and  report 
on  the  agricultural,  commercial,  and  industrial  condition  of 
the  West  Indies  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  depression 
in  Jamaica  was  the  result  of  the  almost  entire  dependence 
of  the  island  on  a single  industry.  Here  is  what  they  say: 

“ The  general  statement  regarding  the  danger  of  depending  on 
a single  industry  applies  with  very  special  force  to  the  dependence 
of  the  West  Indian  Colonies  upon  the  sugar  industry,  for  the 
cultivation  of  sugar  collects  together  a larger  number  of  people 
upon  the  land  than  can  be  employed  or  supported  in  the  same 
area  by  any  other  form  of  cultivation.  In  addition  to  this  it  also 
unfits  the  people,  or  at  any  rate  gives  them  no  training,  for  the 
management  or  cultivation  of  the  soil  for  any  other  purpose  than 
that  of  growing  sugar-cane.  The  failure,  therefore,  of  a sugar 
estate  not  only  leaves  destitute  a larger  number  of  labourers  than 
can  be  supported  upon  the  land  in  other  ways,  but  leaves  them 


53 


The  English  in  Jamaica 

also  without  either  the  knowledge,  skill,  or  habits  requisite  for 
making  a good  use  of  the  land.  In  those  colonies  where  the  sugar 
industry  cannot  be  carried  on  without  imported  coolie  labour 
the  position  of  dependence  upon  this  one  industry  is  still  more 
dangerous.  In  these  cases  not  only  is  there  a yearly  charge 
upon  the  public  revenue  to  meet  the  cost  of  immigration,  but  a 
liability  for  back  passages  is  incurred,  which  a failure  of  the  in- 
dustry would  leave  the  colony  without  funds  to  meet.  Whilst, 
therefore,  the  vital  importance  of  the  sugar  industry  to  the  pre- 
sent prosperity  of  nearly  all  the  colonies  is  beyond  dispute,  we 
wish  to  observe  that  so  long  as  they  remain  dependent  upon 
sugar  their  position  can  never  be  sound  or  secure.  It  has  be- 
come a commonplace  of  criticism  to  remark  upon  the  perpetual 
recurrence  of  crises  in  the  West  Indian  Colonies,  and  we  submit 
that  the  repeated  recurrence  of  such  crises,  as  well  as  the  fact 
that  the  present  crisis  is  more  ominous  than  any  of  the  previous 
ones,  illustrates  the  danger  to  which  we  have  referred,  and  adds 
much  force  to  our  recommendations  for  the  adoption  of  special 
measures  to  facilitate  the  introduction  of  other  industries.” 

The  special  remedies  recommended  were  as  follows: 

i.  The  settlement  of  the  labouring  population  on  small  plots 
of  land  as  peasant  proprietors. 

“ 2.  The  establishment  of  minor  agricultural  industries,  and 
the  improvement  of  the  system  of  cultivation,  especially 
in  the  case  of  small  proprietors. 

“ 3.  The  improvement  of  the  means  of  communication  be- 
tween the  different  islands. 

“ 4.  The  encouragement  of  a trade  in  fruit  with  New  York, 
and,  possibly,  at  a future  time,  with  London. 

" 5.  The  grant  of  a loan  from  the  Imperial  Exchequer  for  the 
establishment  of  central  factories  in  Barbadoes. 

“ The  subject  of  emigration  from  the  distressed  tracts  also  re- 
quires the  careful  attention  of  the  various  governments,  though 
we  do  not  find  ourselves  at  the  present  time  in  a position  to  make 
recommendations  in  detail.” 

The  fact  is,  Captain  L.  D.  Baker,  of  the  Boston  Fruit 
Company,  and  the  other  companies  engaged  in  the  banana 


54 


Industrial  Cuba 


and  orange  business  of  Jamaica,  have  pointed  a way  out  of 
the  present  difficulties,  and  that  industry,  in  the  course  of  a 
short  time,  bids  fair  to  be  as  important  as  the  sugar  industry 
was  in  former  times.  Last  year  this  single  company  shipped 
five  million  bunches  of  bananas  to  New  York.  There  are 
now  over  one  hundred  thousand  orange  trees  planted  in 
Jamaica,  which  in  a few  years  will  be  bearing  finely  and  give 
additional  prosperity  to  the  country.  With  the  American 
fruit  market  inadequately  supplied,  and  the  English  market 
practically  untouched,  there  is  hope  both  in  Jamaica  and 
Cuba— especially  Santiago  province— for  diversified  indus- 
tries created  by  rapid  transportation.  The  recent  estab- 
lishment of  a fleet  of  fast  steamships  between  New  York, 
Philadelphia,  Boston,  and  Baltimore,  and  the  various  ports 
of  Jamaica,  and  the  probability  that  these  or  similar  lines 
will  be  established  between  the  United  States  and  Cuban 
ports,  are  all  factors  of  promise  for  the  industrial  future  of 
both  the  British  and  the  American  West  Indies. 

While  Jamaica  is  a well-governed  country,  and  its  revenue 
is  all  honestly  expended  for  the  public  good  of  the  people, 
it  is  far  from  an  economically  administered  government. 
Order  is  thoroughly  established,  laws  are  obeyed,  justice  for 
the  humblest  is  easily  obtainable,  education  is  general,  san- 
itary matters  admirably  administered,  roads  maintained, 
the  rights  of  all  conserved,  and  the  revenue  honestly  col- 
lected and  expended.  In  these  particulars  the  government 
of  Jamaica  differs  widely  from  that  which  the  author  found 
in  Cuba.  In  that  unhappy  Island  all  is  absolutely  the  re- 
verse of  this.  The  cost  of  governing  Jamaica,  however,  is 
nearly  twenty-five  per  cent,  of  the  value  of  its  commerce, 
whereas  the  cost  of  governing  Cuba — if  gauged  by  the  act- 
ual revenue  raised — under  Spanish  rule  ranged  from  12^  to 
15  per  cent,  of  the  value  of  its  commerce.  The  compari- 
son, however,  is  of  little  value,  because  Cuba  got  nothing 
for  the  money  exacted  by  taxation,  while  Jamaica  not  only 
gets  all,  but  also  the  taxpayers  are  informed  in  advance 
of  the  purposes  for  which  much  of  the  money  is  wanted, 


The  English  in  Jamaica  55 

and  the  sums  thus  raised  are  rigidly  applied  to  the  pur- 
poses for  which  they  are  appropriated.  The  most  useful 
lessons  for  those  responsible  for  administering  the  affairs 
of  Cuba  can  be  learned  by  a study  of  the  Jamaica  Budgets. 
The  methods  of  raising  the  needed  revenue  are  intelli- 
gent and  simple,  and  the  method  of  expenditure  not  only 
enables  the  authorities  to  get  as  much  as  possible  for  the 
money,  but  also  makes  possible  the  strictest  accountabil- 
ity. The  Legislative  Council  of  Jamaica  discusses  every 
item  of  the  budget  as  closely  as  the  Town  Council  of  Glas- 
gow or  the  County  Council  of  London,  both  model  public 
bodies,  so  far  as  honesty  of  purpose  goes,  even  if  some  of 
their  legislative  experiments  fail.  The  humblest  Jamaica 
negro,  if  he  can  read  and  write,  may  at  least  know  the  pur- 
poses for  which  the  revenue  he  pays  in  taxes  is  expended. 
He  may  even  have  the  pleasure  of  deciding  which  of  these 
items  of  expenditure  he  regards  the  least  important.  At 
the  present  moment  the  annual  cost  of  education,  $350,000, 
is  regarded  as  too  high,  and  a proposition  to  reduce  it  to 
$250,000  is  pending.  The  total  expenditures  of  Jamaica 
have  reached  nearly  $4,000,000  and  additional  revenue  is 
necessary  to  meet  these  expenses.  The  customs  tariff  is  in 
course  of  revision,  with  a view  of  increasing  the  revenue, 
and  many  articles  formerly  on  the  free  list  will  have  to  be 
put  upon  the  dutiable  list,  while  the  general  ad  valorem 
rates  of  duty  must  be  raised  from  12^  to  idf  per  cent.  Be- 
fore going  into  the  future  sources  of  revenue,  it  may  be  well 
to  look  at  the  present  sources,  and  for  that  purpose  the  sub- 
joined table  has  been  compiled  from  official  sources: 


COMPARATIVE  TABLE  OF  REVENUE  OF  JAMAICA,  1896-97 


Revenue. 

Customs 

Excise 

Licences 

Stamps 

Post-Office 

Telegraph 


Pounds. 

Dollars. 

321,780 

1 ,608,900 

122,735 

613.675 

732 

3,660 

23.947 

1 19.735 

24,072 

120,360 

5.364 

26,820 

56 


Industrial  Cuba 


Reven'je-  Pounds.  Dollars. 

Tax  on  Stock  1 

Court  Fees 8>284  41,420 

Tax  in  lieu  of  Education  Fees 11,243  56  215 

Fines,  etc 4,412  22,060 

Jamaica  Railway 208  1,040 

Reimbursements 35,969  179,845 

Miscellaneous 13,992  69,960 

Revenues  now  appropriated 181,663  908,315 

Interest  on  Sinking  Funds 14,199  70,995 

Savings  Bank 3,927  19,635 

Total 773,527  3.867,635 

Immigration  Revenue. 

Capitation  Tax,  etc.,  Laws  7 of  1878  and  14  of  1891,  1,476  7,380 

Miscellaneous 2C>5  1,025 


Total 1,681  8,405 

Appropriated  Revenue. 

Poor  Rates 39,339  196,695 

Kingston  Streets 4,354  21,770 

Market  Dues 

Pounds 

Main  Road  Revenue,  Law  17  of  1890 28,091  140,455 

Parochial  Roads 45,538  227,690 

Sanitary 7>862  39, 310 

Fire  Rates,  Kingston 1,561  7,805 

Trade,  Metal,  Hawker,  and  Gunpowder  Licences, 

Surplus  Fund 2 13,271  66,355 

Gas  Rates,  etc 3,793  18,965 

Parochial  General  Purposes 4,503  22,515 

Agricultural  Produce  Licences  Law,  37  of  1896 3,685  18,425 

Miscellaneous 8,544  42,720 

Advances  from  General  Revenue  in  aid  of  Funds. ..  21,122  105,610 


Total 181,663  908,315 

Customs,  excise,  and  appropriated  revenue,  as  will  be  seen 
above,  are  the  principal  sources  of  income,  while  the  expend- 
itures for  the  same  period  are  divided  under  the  following 
heads : 

1 In  this  year  there  was  no  expenditure  for  this  purpose. 

8 Includes  Market  Dues  and  Pounds. 


57 


The  English  in  Jamaica 


COMPARATIVE  TABLE  OF  EXPENDITURE  OF  JAMAICA,  1896-97 


Expenditure. 

Charges  of  Debt 

Governor  and  Staff 

Privy  Council 

Legislative  Council 

Colonial  Secretariat 

Director  of  Public  Works 

Audit  Office 

Treasury 

Savings  Bank 

Stamp  Office 

Post-Office  and  Telegraphs 

Revenue  Departments 

Judicial 

Ecclesiastical 

Medical 

Police 

Prisons  and  Reformatories 

Education 

Harbour-Masters  and  Harbours  and  Pilotage 

Colonial  Allowances  and  Military  Expenditure 

Miscellaneous 

Census1 

Steam  Communication 

Stationery  and  Printing 

Library  and  Museum 

Plantations  and  Gardens 

Railway  1 

Main  Roads  and  Buildings 

Pensions,  etc 

Purposes  now  supplied  by  Appropriated  Revenue. . . 

Total  Expenditure  from  Income 

Sinking-Funds,  etc 

Total  Payments  from  Income 

Less  Debt  Payments  as  above 


Add  Expenditures  from  Moneys  raised  by  Loans. . . . 

Total 

Immigration 


Pounds. 

Dollars. 

82,417 

412,085 

7,368 

36,840 

62 

310 

2,469 

12,345 

5,612 

28,060 

17.979 

89.895 

3.629 

18,145 

4,634 

23,170 

3,275 

16,375 

1,106 

5,530 

35.910 

179.550 

39.969 

199,845 

45,611 

228,055 

2,927 

14,635 

59.307 

296,535 

60,889 

304,445 

27,836 

139,180 

67.540 

337,700 

2,741 

13,705 

12,814 

64,070 

29,571 

147,855 

1,800 

9,000 

7,989 

39,945 

2,404 

12,020 

6,484 

32,420 

80,467 

402,335 

16,962 

84,810 

135,842 

679,210 

765,607 

3,828,035 

14,199 

70,995 

779,806 

3,899,030 

14,199 

70,995 

765,607 

3,828,035 

8,125 

40,625 

773,732 

3,868,660 

979 

4,895 

1 In  this  year  there  was  no  expenditure  for  these  purposes. 


5§ 


Industrial  Cuba 


A glance  at  the  above  tables  and  then  a glance  at  the 
budget  of  Cuba,  which  will  be  found  in  a subsequent  chap- 
ter, is  all  that  is  necessary  to  show  the  vast  difference  be- 
tween the  British  and  the  Spanish  methods  of  dealing  with 
the  fiscal  interests  of  their  colonies.  The  business-like 
methods  of  the  one,  and  the  blind,  slip-shod  methods  of 
the  other,  are  in  sharp  contrast.  In  dealing  with  Cuba,  it 
may  be  difficult  to  follow  entirely  these  English  methods  of 
accounting  at  once.  The  sooner,  however,  the  United 
States  inaugurates  its  own  clear  methods  of  national  book- 
keeping and  official  accountability,  the  quicker  the  people 
of  Cuba  will  appreciate  sound  business  principles  in  the 
conduct  of  their  own  affairs.  It  makes  no  difference  whether 
Cuba  is  annexed  to  the  United  States  or  established  as  an 
independent  government;  these  lessons  must  be  learned  in 
either  event,  or  the  Island  will  come  to  grief.  It  is  hardly 
necessary  to  do  more  than  call  attention  to  the  principal 
items  of  expenditure. 

First  of  all  come  roads.  England  has  discovered  that 
good  roads  are  not  only  an  important  factor  in  mountainous 
countries  in  keeping  order,  but  also  the  basis  of  industrial 
development  and  prosperity.  In  the  budget  given  above 
the  following  items  must  be  added  together  in  order  to  as- 
certain the  amount  expended  in  1897  for  roads: 


Main  Roads  and  Buildings $402,335 

Parochial  Roads 227,690 


$630,025 

Here  may  be  found  a good  illustration  of  England’s  policy 
which  is  a great  contrast  to  the  policy  of  Spain  in  Cuba. 
No  money  has  been  spent  on  the  roads  of  Cuba,  all  of  which 
are  in  a deplorable  condition.  Attention  should  at  once  be 
given  to  this  important  question  and  a liberal  sum  out  of 
both  local  and  general  revenues  of  the  Island  set  apart  for 
this  purpose.  The  debt  of  Jamaica  is  not  excessive;  it  is 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  $10,000,000,  with  an  annual  charge 


59 


The  English  in  Jamaica 


of  about  $400,000.  Police  and  medical  charges  are  about 
the  same,  averaging  about  $300,000  each,  or  in  all  $600,000. 

In  this  connection  attention  is  called  to  the  annual  ex- 
penditure on  roads  in  Jamaica  for  fourteen  years: 

EXPENDITURE  FOR  MAIN  AND  PAROCHIAL  ROADS  IN 
JAMAICA,  FROM  1883-S4  TO  1896-97,  INCLUSIVE 


Year. 

Appropriated 
revenue  for 
Parochial 
Roads. 

Expenditure 
for  Main  Roads 
and  Buildings. 

Total. 

Pounds  sterling. 

Pounds  sterling. 

Pounds  sterling. 

Dollars. 

1883-84 

39.514 

48,156 

87,670 

438,350 

1884-85 

40,496 

47,614 

88,110 

440,550 

1885-86 

38,246 

52,285 

90,531 

452,655 

18S6-87 

39,670 

48,080 

87.750 

438,750 

1887-88 

42,935 

52,318 

95,253 

476,265 

1888-89 

42,146 

57,632 

99,778 

498,890 

1889-90 1 

20,740 

32,210 

52,950 

264,750 

1890-91 

50,317 

91,659 

141,976 

709,880 

1891-92 

44,845 

91,659 

136,504 

682,520 

1892-93 

48,520 

83,718 

132,238 

661,190 

1893-94 

50,169 

58,460 

108,629 

543,145 

1894-95 

47,111 

65,647 

112,758 

563,790 

1895-96 

48,398 

68,654 

117,052 

585,260 

1896-97 

45,538 

80,467 

126,005 

630,025 

Total  for  14  years.. 
Average  per  year. . 

1,477,204 

7,386,020 

527,573 

The  necessity  of  liberal  expenditure  for  maintaining  the 
health  of  the  community  is  of  first  importance.  A study 
of  this  budget  may  be  found  a preparation  for  the  subse- 
quent study  of  the  Cuban  budget,  to  which  the  reader’s 
attention  will  be  invited  presently. 

The  present  Jamaica  tariff  was  evidently  framed  with  the 
two  ideas  of  revenue  for  the  island  and  a market  for  British 
goods.  Food  products,  for  example,  such  as  bacon,  beef, 
beans,  bread,  butter,  cheese,  corn,  meats,  oats,  oil,  pork, 
rice,  salt,  sausages,  wheat,  sugar,  tea,  coffee,  and  many 
other  staple  articles  are  all  on  the  dutiable  list,  some  pay- 
ing a fairly  stiff  rate  of  duty.  On  the  other  hand,  many 

1 Half-year. 


6o 


Industrial  Cuba 


articles  of  merchandise,  bricks,  bridges,  carts  and  waggons, 
clocks,  diamonds,  machinery,  locomotives,  and  a host  of 
other  things,  which  England  supplies  the  island,  are  all 
exempted  from  duty.  Under  a general  ad  valorem  clause, 
I2i  Per  cent,  is  collected  on  all  articles  not  enumerated.  The 
enumerated  list  of  the  Jamaica  tariff  is  not  large,  so  a large 
amount  of  merchandise  has  been  actually  imported  under 
this  clause.  The  proposed  new  tariff,  which  will  probably 
go  into  effect  next  year,  takes  many  articles  off  the  free  list 
and  puts  them  on  the  dutiable  list.  It  also  increases  the 
ad  valorem  rate  to  i6f  per  cent.  This  has  been  found  ne- 
cessary because  there  has  been  a deficit  in  the  revenue.  The 
new  tariff  is  expected  to  yield  £400,000,  or  about  $2,000,- 
000,  and  from  internal  revenue  or  excise  £150,000,  or 
$750,000,  and  £250,000,  or  $1,250,000,  from  appropriated 
revenue  which  will  really  come  from  the  land  and  house- 


holders. Here  it  is  summarised: 

Revenue  from  Customs $2,000,000 

Excise 750,000 

“ Appropriated  Revenue  (land  and 

household  taxes,  etc.) 1,250,000 


$ 4 ,000,000 


If  this  amount  can  be  secured,  the  revenue  of  Jamaica  will 
be  a trifle  more  than  expenditure,  and  the  result  will  be 
happiness.  If  not,  expenses  must  be  reduced.  Some 
members  of  the  Legislative  Council  favour  this  latter  plan. 
The  Commission  has  the  whole  fiscal  question  now  in  hand, 
and  within  a short  time  will  probably  reach  conclusions. 

There  is  much  more  of  interest  that  might  be  said  about 
the  present  economic  condition  of  Jamaica,  but  the  points 
herein  brought  out  appear  to  be  the  only  ones  that  bear 
especially  on  the  problem  continually  facing  the  reader  in  a 
volume  dealing  with  the  industrial  and  commercial  recon- 
struction of  Cuba.  It  will  also  be  interesting  to  compare 
the  British  method  of  colonial  administration  with  the  idea 
set  forth  in  the  previous  chapter  by  the  Marquis  de  Apez- 


The  English  in  Jamaica  61 

teguia,  whose  point  of  view  in  such  matters  is  wholly  Span- 
ish. That  is,  the  idea  of  possession  is  paramount.  The 
Marquis  evidently  has  no  faith  in  the  ability  of  the  United 
States  to  administer  the  affairs  of  Cuba  as  a trust. 


CHAPTER  V 


THE  AMERICANS  IN  SANTIAGO 

A VISIT  to  Santiago  should  give  relief  to  those  suffering 
from  “ the  craven  fear  of  being  great,”  for  there  may 
be  found  much  that  is  encouraging.  In  this  province  of 
Cuba  may  be  seen  in  full  operation  the  work  which  the 
Government  of  the  United  States  has  been  impelled  to 
undertake,  and  here  may  be  studied  the  character  of  the 
forces  upon  which  the  people  of  the  United  States  must 
rely  in  the  work  of  reconstruction  now  in  progress.  The 
machinery  of  government  is  running  with  a fair  degree  of 
smoothness,  and  the  men  responsible  for  it,  from  the 
humblest  official  to  the  capable  commander  of  the  province, 
understand  their  business  and  are  masters  of  the  situation. 
It  is  a striking  illustration  of  the  marvellous  adaptability  of 
the  American  character.  Every  department  of  the  public 
service  is  carrying  on  its  work;  the  only  difference  apparent 
to  one  so  recently  in  parts  of  Cuba  still  in  possession  of 
Spain  being  the  absence  of  Spanish  soldiers  and  the  more 
businesslike  methods  of  the  officials.  The  disagreeable 
smells  of  the  typical  Cuban  city  are  less  pronounced  in 
Santiago,  and  whitewash,  limewash,  fresh  paint,  and  all 
soits  of  disinfectants  have  deodorised  the  surrounding 
atmosphere  and  made  the  old  town  really  habitable.  The 
streets  are  no  longer  used  as  sewers,  and  the  unhappy  per- 
son who  violates  the  law  and  escapes  the  lash  of  the  San- 
itary Commissioner’s  whip  is  compelled  to  work  on  the 
streets  for  thirty  days.  This  official,  Major  George  M. 
Barbour,  with  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  men,  dressed 

62 


The  Americans  in  Santiago  63 

in  spotless  white,  and  thirty-two  good  United  States  mule- 
teams  and  carts,  having  dug  out  from  the  streets  of  Santi- 
ago the  filth  of  ages,  is  now  able  to  keep  them  absolutely 
clean.  Every  day  by  the  aid  of  that  great  disinfectant, 
petroleum,  the  garbage  of  the  city  is  burned.  The  work  of 
sanitation  is  not  confined  to  the  streets,  but  extends  to  the 
dwelling-houses,  shops,  and  buildings  of  all  kinds.  Indeed, 
the  campaign  against  dirt  and  disease  has  been  as  sharp  and 
hot  as  the  charge  of  San  Juan  Hill,  and  as  productive  of 
beneficial  results.  The  resistance  on  the  part  of  the  native 
population  was  even  more  stubborn  than  that  of  the  Span- 
ish soldiers  to  our  forces  around  Santiago.  The  doors  of 
houses  had  to  be  smashed  in ; people  making  sewers  of  the 
thoroughfares  were  publicly  horsewhipped  in  the  streets  of 
Santiago  ; eminently  respectable  citizens  were  forcibly 
brought  before  the  commanding  general  and  sentenced  to 
aid  in  cleaning  the  streets  they  were  in  the  habit  of  defiling. 
The  campaign  has  ended  in  the  complete  surrender  to  the 
sanitary  authorities,  and  the  inhabitants  of  Santiago,  re- 
gardless of  class,  have  had  their  first  object-lesson  in  the 
new  order  of  things  inaugurated  by  the  war.  Looking 
backward  five  months  and  picturing  Santiago  in  July,  and 
comparing  it  with  the  more  hopeful  condition  existing  on 
all  sides  at  the  present  moment,  it  is  easy  to  discern  the 
omens  which  point  to  the  coming  prosperity  of  the  whole 
Island  under  intelligent  and  honest  government. 

Besides  the  improved  sanitary  conditions,  there  are  many 
other  indications  of  the  good  work  of  Major-General  Leon- 
ard Wood  and  his  capable  corps  of  assistants.  Several  im- 
portant thoroughfares  have  been  repaved.  All  the  public 
buildings  have  been  thoroughly  cleaned  and  put  in  good 
order,  the  work  even  extending  to  the  large  opera  house, 
which  is  now  ready  for  the  opening  performance  under 
American  auspices;  for  General  Wood  believes  in  furnishing 
decent  amusements  for  the  soldiers  of  his  command.  The 
law  courts  abolished  when  General  Shatter  took  the  city 
have  been  re-organised,  and  it  was  the  privilege  of  the 


64 


Industrial  Cuba 


author  to  take  part  in  the  brief,  simple  ceremonies  on  De- 
cember ist,  when  in  a modest  speech  the  American  com- 
mander turned  over  the  legal  business  of  the  province  to 
the  judiciary  and  inaugurated  the  Supreme  Court.  This 
Court  was  composed  of  carefully  selected  Cuban  judges,  the 
appointees  nominated  wholly  on  account  of  legal  attain- 
ments; the  Bar  Association  of  the  province  having  been 
consulted  as  to  the  character  and  qualifications  of  the  new 
judges.  As  the  occasion  of  turning  over  the  judiciary  of 
the  province  to  the  people  was  one  of  considerable  moment, 
a brief  description  may  not  be  out  of  place.  A committee 
selected  by  the  Court  called  at  the  palace  on  the  morning  of 
December  ist,  and  after  being  presented  to  General  Wood, 
escorted  him  to  the  Supreme  Court  Building.  The  room 
in  which  the  Supreme  Court  of  Santiago  holds  its  sessions 
is  one  story  up  a rather  rickety-looking  stairway.  It  looks 
more  like  a long,  narrow  store  than  a court-room.  At  the 
far  end  is  the  bench  where  the  Court  sits.  It  was  draped 
with  scarlet  cloth  and  the  chairs  are  of  dark  oak.  The  court- 
room was  filled  by  interested  spectators.  General  Wood 
appeared  in  a fatigue  uniform,  taking  a position  in  the 
centre  of  the  group  of  jurists,  under  the  canopy  over  the 
seat  of  the  Chief-Justice,  and  in  a businesslike  manner 
proceeded  to  state  the  object  of  the  gathering.  He  told 
those  assembled  they  had  met  for  the  purpose  of  starting 
up  the  judicial  machinery  of  the  province.  While  the  mil- 
itary authorities  still  retained  the  power  to  revise  all  cases 
involving  life  and  death,  there  was  no  disposition  to  inter- 
fere with  civil  matters.  Innumerable  cases  had  been  piling 
up  during  the  five  months  of  military  occupation,  and  it 
was  time  they  were  adjusted.  He  hoped  the  gentlemen 
appointed  to  this,  the  highest  Court  in  the  province,  would 
prove  equal  to  the  trust. 

“ Your  enemies  who  say  the  Cubans  cannot  govern  them- 
selves,” said  General  Wood,  turning  toward  the  Court,  “ will 
watch  you  critically,  and  your  friends  hopefully.  Above  and 


65 


The  Americans  in  Santiago 

beyond  all,  be  honest  in  your  decisions,  for  absolute  integrity 
must  ever  be  the  foundation  of  a fair  and  impartial  judiciary.  1 
pray  you  do  not  follow  the  example  of  those  who  have  made  the 
courts  of  Cuba  a byword  for  corruption.  With  sincere  hope  for 
your  success  in  dealing  with  these  matters,  and  with  assurance 
of  all  the  assistance  in  my  power,  I hereby  reinstate  the  Judiciary 
of  the  Province  of  Santiago  de  Cuba.” 

Then  the  Chief-Justice,  a man  of  fifty-five  or  sixty,  attired 
in  a rich  black  silk  gown,  with  handsome  white  lace  cuffs, 
arose,  and  in  a few  graceful  words  accepted  the  responsi- 
bility in  the  spirit  in  which  it  was  tendered,  and  assuring 
General  Wood  of  his  fealty  to  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment during  the  military  occupancy,  made  a profound  bow, 
and  the  ceremony  was  over.  Two  members  of  the  Court 
then  escorted  General  Wood  and  the  author,  who  was  in- 
vited to  represent  the  civil  authorities  of  the  United  States, 
to  the  top  of  the  staircase,  and  with  a cordial  adieu  the 
Military  went  out  and  the  Judiciary  came  in  and  was  re- 
instated. In  a few  moments  the  Court  was  in  session. 

Let  me  walk  back,”  said  General  Wood,  and  the  wait- 
ing carriage  was  dismissed. 

Passing  the  city  jail,  General  Wood  exclaimed  to  the 
author,  ” Take  a look  at  the  jail,  and  see  the  good  work 
we  are  doing  there.”  There  were  no  prisoners,  and  it  was 
evident  the  building  was  being  renovated  for  some  new  and 
more  inspiring  purpose.  There  is  no  more  practical  man  in 
the  military  service  of  the  United  States  to-day  than  Major- 
General  Leonard  Wood.  He  is  just  the  man  to  build  up 
the  city  and  the  province  of  Santiago. 

Not  only  has  the  judiciary  been  reinstated,  but  also,  in 
the  same  manner,  local  government  has  been  restored,  and 
native  mayors  and  officials  have  been  appointed ; the  only 
requirement  being  that  persons  accepting  such  offices  shall 
take  the  oath  recognising  the  military  occupancy  of  the 
Island  by  the  United  States.  They  are  in  no  way  com- 
mitted to  any  future  form  of  government.  The  wisdom  of 
s 


66 


Industrial  Cuba 


this  action  cannot  be  doubted,  and  the  moral  effect  upon 
the  people  of  Cuba  will  be  far-reaching.1 

In  constant  meetings  between  General  Wood  and  the 
author,  during  the  former’s  recent  brief  visit  to  the  United 
States,  he  informed  me  that  all  arrangements  have  been 
completed  for  the  spring  elections  of  Santiago.  Thus  the 
next  movement  is  towards  a system  of  local  self-govern- 
ment which  the  Cubans  heretofore  have  never  enjoyed. 

The  Spanish,  when  in  possession  of  Cuba,  assumed  abso- 
lute control  not  only  of  the  judiciary,  but  also  of  the  muni- 
cipal government,  the  larger  portion  of  the  taxes  raised  for 
municipal  purposes  being  diverted,  with  the  other  revenues, 
into  channels  which  either  led  to  Spain  or  into  Spanish 
pockets.  It  will  be  even  a greater  stroke  of  wisdom  if  these 
taxes  are  hereafter  used  exclusively  for  local  purposes,  and, 
as  far  as  may  be  deemed  practicable,  collected  and  disbursed 
by  properly  constituted  local  authorities. 

There  could  be  no  wiser  expenditure  of  local  revenue 
for  several  years  than  upon  the  streets  and  sewers  of  the 
cities  and  towns  of  Cuba.  For  years  the  money  which 
should  have  been  used  for  these  purposes  has  been  drained 
away  to  Spain,  and  all  local  improvements  shamefully 
neglected.  The  rural  districts  of  Santiago  de  Cuba  have 
been  so  depleted  that  it  will  be  impossible  to  collect  taxes 
over  and  above  those  needed  for  the  bare  necessities  of 
schools,  for  the  poor,  and  possibly,  in  small  sums,  for  the 
improvement  of  sanitary  conditions.  The  dawn  of  prosper- 
ity should,  however,  be  the  signal  for  inaugurating  system- 

1 A cable  despatch  to  the  New  York  Sun , dated  Santiago,  December  19th,  a 
week  after  the  author  left  Santiago,  contains  the  information  that  General 
Wood  has  now  completed  his  scheme  of  local  taxation,  and  that  the  local  ma- 
chinery will  soon  be  in  running  order.  The  despatch  says : 

“ A committee  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  met  General  Wood  at  the  palace 
to-day  and  agreed  to  accept  the  scheme  of  municipal  taxation  arranged  by  the 
committee  of  American  officers  and  Cubans.  The  scheme  in  operation  the  first 
year  will  yield  annually  $240,000,  or  sixty  per  cent,  under  the  Spanish  schedule. 
It  is  not  retroactive.  General  Wood  decided  to-day,  after  consultation,  that  it 
will  be  impossible  to  make  many  merchants  pay  the  back  tax  without  litigation. 
The  city  loses  nearly  $100,000  by  the  ruling.” 


CATHEDRAL  STREET.  SANTIAGO  DE  CUBA. 

FROM  A PHOTOGRAPH  BY  J.  F.  COONLEY,  NASSAU,  N.  P. 


The  Americans  in  Santiago  67 

atic  work  on  the  country  roads.  The  province  of  Santiago 
de  Cuba  is  similar  in  geographical  and  geological  structure 
to  the  island  of  Jamaica,  where,  as  is  shown  elsewhere  in  this 
volume,  the  good  main  and  parochial  roads  have  been  the 
principal  stay  of  the  population.  In  another  chapter  will 
be  found  a brief  history  of  the  nearly  two  thousand  miles 
of  good  roads  in  Jamaica,  together  with  an  account  of  the 
expenditure  thereon  and  cost  of  keeping  them  in  repair. 
The  British  Administration  spends  on  an  average  annually 
for  roads  in  Jamaica  about  $500,000.  Without  underestim- 
ating the  strategical  importance  of  a central  railway  from 
east  to  west  in  Cuba  the  immediate  returns  to  the  popula- 
tion from  good  roads  would  be  far  in  excess  of  the  more  pre- 
tentious enterprise.  The  money  thus  expended,  whether 
from  the  general  funds  of  the  Island,  or  from  the  local 
budgets,  would  come  back  a hundredfold,  and  make  Santi- 
ago one  of  the  richest  sugar-,  coffee-,  and  fruit-growing  dis- 
tricts of  the  West  Indies. 

Santiago  Province  should  be  a profitable  producing  country 
for  bananas.  It  is  good  for  the  poorer  classes  to  undertake 
the  cultivation  of  this  fruit.  The  banana  takes  only  four- 
teen months  to  grow  and  therefore, unlike  coffee  and  oranges, 
the  cultivator  does  not  have  to  wait  several  years  for  the 
crop.  All  the  capital  in  this  business  can  be  turned  quickly, 
and  the  banana  can  be  planted  near  the  hut  of  the  small 
planter  and  attended  easily.  Banes,  Sigua,  and  Baracoa 
are  good  ports  to  export  them  from.  The  Dumois  family 
invested  considerably  in  the  business  and  used  to  ship  to 
the  United  States.  This  business  is  soon  to  be  revived  on 
a much  larger  scale.  The  extension  of  good  roads  would 
largely  increase  the  possibilities  of  this  industry  in  many 
parts  of  Santiago  Province.  With  quick  transportation  the 
market  for  bananas  is  rapidly  extending  to  Europe,  while 
the  United  States  market  is  only  partially  supplied  with 
this  fruit  and  with  oranges. 

The  internal,  industrial,  professional,  licensing,  and  other 
miscellaneous  taxes  have  so  far  been  remitted  in  this  part 


68 


Industrial  Cuba 


of  Cuba,  but  the  military  authorities  are  now  preparing  to 
enforce  them.  In  this  connection  the  author  suggests  that, 
now  the  customs  tariff  has  been  disposed  of,1  an  immediate 
scheme  be  prepared  for  levying  and  collecting  internal 
revenue  taxes  for  the  entire  Island.  The  question  of  separ- 
ating these  taxes  from  purely  municipal  taxes  should  also 
be  considered  at  the  earliest  possible  moment,  in  order  that 
no  revenue  shall  be  lost. 

Methods  of  local  administration  differ  so  greatly  in  differ- 
ent provinces  in  Cuba  that  the  wisdom  of  appointing  a 
governor  or  commander  for  each  province  is  unquestioned. 
As  much  latitude  as  possible  should  be  given  to  these  officials. 
The  provincial  governors  should  have  power  to  decide  all 
questions  appertaining  to  local  matters,  for  the  fewer  the 
references  to  Havana  the  sooner  the  people  of  Cuba  will 
realise  the  difference  between  Spanish  possession  and  United 
States  occupancy.  For  military  purposes,  the  government 
of  the  Island  may  be  easily  vested  in  one  central  authority 
at  Havana.  For  civil  purposes,  each  province  should  be 
made  as  absolutely  independent  as  is  possible,  with  general 
supervision  by  the  commander  of  the  United  States  forces. 
The  secret  of  General  Wood’s  success  in  Santiago  is  en- 
tirely due  to  the  fact  that  he  has  good  judgment,  the  courage 
to  use  it,  and  full  power  in  Santiago  Province  to  exercise 
both.  The  supervising  power  over  the  civil  department- 
commander  should  be  made,  as  far  as  possible,  advisory  on 
such  matters  as  relate  to  the  general  welfare  of  all  the  peo- 
ple of  the  Island,  but  all  department  questions  should  be 
scrupulously  relegated  to  the  provincial  governors.  There 
will  of  course  have  to  be  some  general  scheme  inaugurated 
as  to  the  collection  and  the  expenditure  of  the  general 
revenue,  but  before  this  can  be  intelligently  arranged  it  will 
be  necessary  to  designate  what  revenue  shall  be  considered 

1 The  amended  Cuban  tariff,  prepared  under  the  direction  of  the  author  of 
this  book,  went  into  force  in  all  ports  in  Cuba,  January  i,  i8gg.  Elsewhere  in 
the  present  volume  will  be  found  an  epitome  of  the  tariff,  and  also  of  the  other 
forms  of  Cuban  taxation. 


69 


The  Americans  in  Santiago 

local,  what,  if  any,  for  the  exclusive  use  of  the  department, 
and  what  may  fairly  be  regarded  as  revenue  applicable  for  the 
general  purpose  of  the  whole  Island.  In  thus  distributing 
the  revenue,  the  greatest  care  should  be  exercised  not  to 
hamper  the  provincial  governor  by  an  arbitrary  division  of 
the  purposes  for  which  the  money  must  be  expended,  until 
he  has  been  given  ample  opportunity  to  ascertain  the  needs 
of  his  department.  A country  undergoing  such  changes  as 
Cuba  is,  cannot  be  judged  by  ordinary  circumstances,  and 
the  most  successful  results  will  certainly  be  obtained  by 
giving  the  generals  in  command  of  the  several  provinces  the 
rein,  and  with  the  excellent  example  of  the  commander  of 
Santiago  before  them  tell  them  to  go  and  do  likewise. 
Apportionments  and  divisions  of  revenue  will  come  later. 
The  present  emergency  demands  large  sums  for  sanitary  pur- 
poses, for  cleaning  up  cities,  for  fighting  disease,  for  re- 
novating public  buildings,  for  maintaining  order,  and  for 
establishing  a decent,  efficient  administration  of  public 
affairs.  These  operations  must  be  done  quickly  and  be 
planned  chiefly  by  the  judgment  of  the  man  on  the  spot, 
acquainted  with  local  conditions.  The  results  of  a free  hand 
are  plainly  visible  in  Santiago.  The  same  policy  must  be 
followed  elsewhere,  or  summer  will  bring  dangers  from 
which  the  unacclimatised  population  may  well  seek  to 
escape. 

As  this  is  being  written,  the  first  difficulty  has  arisen  at 
Santiago  in  relation  to  the  distribution  of  the  customs 
revenue.  The  order  of  General  Brooke  to  send  the  customs 
receipts  to  Havana  has  met  with  opposition.  This  is  a 
natural  result  of  the  peculiar  conditions  existing  there,  and 
no  one  can  be  blamed  for  it.  For  nearly  five  months  no 
municipal,  internal,  or  local  taxes  have  been  collected ; and 
with  the  exception  of  about  ten  thousand  dollars  collected 
by  Mr.  Donaldson  as  cemetery  and  meat  taxes,  the  entire 
revenue  of  Santiago  Province  was  derived  from  customs 
dues.  This  money  has  been  expended,  as  above  shown,  by 
General  Wood  in  cleaning  up  the  city,  in  making  new 


7o 


Industrial  Cuba 


streets,  in  renovating  public  buildings,  in  fighting  disease, 
and  in  many  other  ways,  all  with  a view  of  benefiting  the 
community.  All  this  and  much  more  was  justifiable  in  the 
emergency  with  which  he  was  confronted.  Meanwhile 
the  machinery  for  collecting  local  and  other  public  dues 
was,  for  various  reasons,  not  put  in  motion  until  a few 
weeks  ago.  The  taxes  from  these  sources  rightfully  belong 
to  the  municipality,  and  hereafter  will  be  expended  thereon. 
The  Spanish  authorities  collected  all  the  taxes,  local  and 
general,  returning  of  the  local  taxes  but  a small  percentage 
to  the  municipalities.  There  is  no  intention  on  the  part  of 
the  military  authorities  of  the  United  States  in  Cuba  to  use 
these  local  taxes  for  other  than  local  purposes,  but  it  stands 
to  reason  that  the  customs  taxes  must  be  collected  by  one 
central  authority,  equalised  and  expended  for  the  general 
welfare  of  the  whole  community.  The  ports  of  Santiago 
Province,  being  practically  the  only  ports  in  possession  of 
the  United  States,  naturally  used  all  moneys  collected. 
January  I,  1899,  all  other  Cuban  ports  came  into  possession 
of  the  United  States,  and  Santiago  becomes  again  part  of 
the  Island  of  Cuba,  and  as  such  is  entitled  to  equal,  but  not 
special  consideration. 

The  people  of  Santiago  have  had  over  one  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars  of  local  taxes  remitted,  in  consequence  of  the 
delay  in  getting  the  tax-levying  and  tax-collecting  machinery 
at  work.  This  has  been  saved  to  the  community.  All  these 
taxes,  being  local,  would  have  probably  been  spent  on  local 
works  or  would  at  this  time  have  been  available  for  such 
purposes.  It  is  not  the  intention  of  the  Government  to  have 
these  sent  to  Havana,  nor  does  the  order  include  them. 
New  York  might  as  well  demand  that  she  be  allowed  to 
keep  all  the  customs  dues  collected  at  that  port,  or,  more  to 
the  point,  Havana.  Over  sixty  per  cent,  of  all  Cuba’s  cus- 
toms dues  are  collected  at  Havana,  but  Havana  will  have 
to  pool  her  receipts,  just  as  New  York  does,  and  take  back 
such  portion  as  appropriations  for  public  works  as  may 
hereafter  be  decided  to  be  rightfully  her  share.  There  is 


7i 


The  Americans  in  Santiago 

really  no  need  for  the  people  of  Santiago  to  get  excited 
over  the  order,  which  is  reasonable,  just,  and  in  the  line  of 
fair  government.  On  the  contrary,  the  people  should  re- 
joice to  think  they  have  had  so  much  of  the  money  expended 
in  improving  the  city,  and  that  for  several  months  they  have 
practically  been  relieved  of  local  taxes. 

The  Custom-House  at  Santiago  the  author  found  to  be 
under  very  capable  management.  Mr.  Walter  A.  Donald- 
son, who  has  had  charge  of  the  office,  has  performed  the 
rather  difficult  initiatory  duties  devolving  upon  him  with 
enthusiasm  and  ability.  His  knowledge  of  Spanish  and  his 
long  training  in  the  customs  service  of  the  United  States 
have  enabled  him  to  recast  the  old  Spanish  methods  and  in- 
augurate the  more  businesslike  methods  of  our  own  custom- 
house without  much  friction;  and  as  a result  we  find  to-day 
a complete  organisation  at  Santiago,  with  branches  at  all 
the  other  ports  in  the  province,  working  efficiently  and  col- 
lecting the  revenue.  While  Mr.  Donaldson  has  been  able 
to  dispense  with  about  twenty  of  the  seventy  employees,  he 
has  retained  fifty  of  the  Cuban  and  Spanish  already  in  the 
service,  and  with  five  United  States  officers  is  able  to  col- 
lect the  revenues  expeditiously  and  administer  the  affairs  of 
the  port  with  general  satisfaction  to  the  merchants  and 
shippers  of  Santiago. 

Mr.  Donaldson  estimated,  that  at  the  end  of  December, 
the  total  custom-house  receipts  in  his  entire  district  would 
aggregate  in  the  neighbourhood  of  four  hundred  thousand 
dollars.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  the  collections  in  this  port 
for  the  twelve  months  under  American  administration  will 
be  twice  the  amount  collected  during  the  last  twelve  months 
of  Spanish  control.  As  the  rates  of  the  tariff  have  been 
reduced  two-thirds  this  fact  would  seem  to  be  a good  sign 
alike  for  the  interest  of  American  administration  and  the 
possibilities  of  a low  tariff  for  producing  sufficient  revenue. 
As  is  stated  elsewhere  in  this  volume,  the  hope  of  sufficient 
revenue  to  manage  the  affairs  of  the  Island  is  largely — 
under  greatly  reduced  taxation — based  upon  honest  and 


72 


Industrial  Cuba 


efficient  collections.  If  it  were  otherwise,  the  natural  con- 
sequence of  reducing  the  rates  of  duty  by  two-thirds  (a 
measure  which  the  President  of  the  United  States  has 
authorised)  in  a tariff  capable  of  producing  a revenue  of 
fifteen  million  dollars  per  annum,  would  mean  a revenue 
of  five  million  dollars  per  annum.  To  accomplish  this  feat 
and  still  have  fifteen  or  even  ten  millions  of  revenue  the 
future  management  of  the  custom-houses  in  Cuba  must  be 
more  businesslike  and  more  honest.  The  industrial  im- 
portance of  Santiago  will  be  treated  in  the  chapter  on  Mines 
and  Mining,  the  idea  of  this  chapter  being  to  give  a glimpse 
of  some  of  the  changes  in  this  old  city  already  brought  about 
by  American  military  occupancy. 


CHAPTER  VI 


OUTLOOK  IN  CUBA  FOR  LABOUR 
HAT  the  wounds  of  Cuba  will  soon  heal  with  the  rapid 


promotion  of  work,  is  undoubtedly  true.  This  is  the 
struggle  the  United  States  is  now  entering  upon,  and  the 
employment  of  the  people  should  be  the  first  aim  of  those 
responsible  for  the  management  of  affairs.  There  will  natur- 
ally be  many  disappointments,  some  disillusioning.  The 
condition  of  labour  in  the  Island  requires  the  most  serious 
attention  of  our  Government.  A brief  history  of  it  during 
the  present  century  may  elucidate  the  existing  situation. 

In  1815,  after  the  Napoleonic  wars,  the  principal  nations 
of  Europe  came  together  and  agreed  upon  the  Treaty  of 
Vienna.  An  important  provision  of  this  Treaty  was  that 
henceforth  slavery  should  be  abolished.  Spain,  in  common 
with  other  nations,  signed  this  agreement,  but,  as  is  her 
habit,  kept  it  not.  The  horrors  of  slavery  were  continued 
in  her  colonies,  and  in  the  middle  of  the  present  century  al- 
most reached  the  depths  of  inhumanity.  At  this  time  the 
population  of  Cuba  was  nearly  a million  people,  and  the 
traffic  in  human  flesh  and  blood  was  a prosperous  and  profit- 
able business.  How  long  it  would  have  continued  is  im- 
possible to  say,  had  not  England  interfered.  After  painful 
delays,  much  threatening,  and  innumerable  broken  promises 
on  the  part  of  Spain  to  observe  the  Treaty  of  Vienna,  Eng- 
land agreed  to  give  that  country  two  millions  of  dollars  to 
compensate  those  who  owned  “ slave  factories  ” in  Havana, 
provided  the  nefarious  business  was  stopped.  Spain  simply 
pocketed  the  money,  told  her  noble  sons  engaged  in  the 


73 


7 4 


Industrial  Cuba 


slave  business  in  Cuba  to  look  out  for  British  cruisers  when 
bringing  slaves,  assured  them  that  no  harm  beyond  the  loss 
of  cargo  should  come  to  them  if  caught — and  the  plantations 
of  Cuba  continued  to  be  supplied  as  usual  with  slaves.  In- 
teresting facts  in  relation  to  conditions  in  Cuba  during  this 
period,  when  British  cruisers  kept  watch  of  Spanish  slave- 
ships,  have  been  recently  given  in  a series  of  articles  in  the 
Century  Magazine , written  in  1859. 

According  to  this  chronicle,  the  Spaniards  in  Cuba  were 
in  open  sympathy  with  the  slave-dealers,  and  a story  is  told 
of  a slaver  chased  by  a cruiser  into  the  harbour  of  Havana, 
the  shores  being  lined  with  people  cheering  the  slaver.  The 
cruiser  would  have  effected  a capture,  but  the  slaver,  dodg- 
ing into  a corner  of  the  harbour,  came  to  anchor,  and  her 
officers  told  the  slaves  on  board  to  jump  overboard  and  swim 
ashore,  as  the  British  were  cannibals  and  would  eat  them  all 
if  captured.  The  slaves  escaped  to  the  shore,  where  the 
Spaniards  picked  them  up  and  laughed  at  the  British  and 
the  trick. 

The  same  writer  notes  that  by  law  the  British  must  sell 
captured  slaves  by  a mixed  commission  at  fifty  dollars  each 
for  a seven  years’  term  of  labour.  These  slaves  were  known 
as  emancipados  and  each  wore  a tin  tag  on  his  neck,  show- 
ing the  date  of  his  sale  and  the  date  of  the  expiration  of  his 
slave  service ; but  emancipados,  strangely,  seldom  reached  the 
end  of  their  terms;  the  Spaniards  prevented  that,  by  taking 
the  tag  from  an  emancipado  whenever  one  of  their  slaves  died 
and  putting  it  on  the  corpse.  This  was  sufficient  evidence 
that  the  ematicipado  was  dead,  and  the  Spanish  owner  had  a 
new  slave.  As  for  the  general  condition  of  the  etnancipado, 
it  was  much  worse  than  that  of  the  real  slave,  for  his  master, 
knowing  he  must  soon  lose  him,  treated  him  cruelly,  by 
overwork  and  starving,  and  when  at  last  the  poor  emancipado 
had  his  freedom,  he  had  neither  strength  nor  health  to 
enjoy  it. 

A Cuban  gentleman,  now  over  threescore  years  and  ten, 
told  the  author,  in  Cuba,  that  nothing  in  ancient  or  modern 


Outlook  in  Cuba  for  Labour 


75 


history  exceeded  in  horror  the  slave-trade  of  Cuba  during 
this  period.  In  spite  of  England’s  watchfulness,  it  could 
be  made  profitable,  even  if  occasional  mishaps  sent  a shipful 
of  unhappy  Africans,  chained  together  below  decks,  to  the 
bottom  of  the  sea,  or  a catastrophe  set  fire  to  the  load  of 
writhing  humanity,  fettered  to  prevent  escape.  Naturally 
a large  percentage  died  on  the  voyage,  and  the  condition  of 
those  landed  was  so  awful  that  a description  would  be  im- 
possible in  these  pages.  It  will  suffice  to  say  that  upon  one 
occasion  a young  Cuban,  who  had  been  sent  down  by  his 
employer  to  land  some  of  these  unfortunate  creatures,  was 
so  impressed  by  the  awful  spectacle  that  he  shot  himself 
through  the  brain  with  a revolver  and  died  on  the  spot. 

So  long  as  this  traffic  continued,  and  the  plantations  of 
the  Island  were  supplied  by  the  unhappy  African  victims  of 
man’s  inhumanity  to  man,  there  was  no  labour  trouble  in 
Cuba.  Under  such  conditions  sugar-growing  was  a com- 
paratively simple  process,  and  those  engaged  in  it  became 
wealthy.  The  day  of  reckoning,  however,  was  at  hand. 
After  repeated  disappointments,  England  succeeded  in  ab- 
solutely stopping  further  importations  of  slaves  into  Cuba. 
Up  to  the  time  of  the  breaking  out  of  the  insurrection  of 
1868,  black  labour  had  been  almost  exclusively  used  on  the 
sugar  estates  of  Cuba.  Bad  as  slavery  is  at  the  best,  there 
was  in  Cuba  probably  the  worst  system  ever  known.  The 
work  was  of  the  hardest,  the  climatic  conditions  severe,  and 
the  unhappy  victims  of  cupidity  were  ill-treated  and  brutal- 
ised. With  such  a beginning,  continuing  in  one  form  and 
• another  until  1885,  how  could  such  conditions  produce 
aught  but  dissatisfaction  and  misery  at  the  present  time  ? 

The  same  causes  demoralised  the  Cubans.  They  were 
reared  in  luxury  and  idleness  and  looked  upon  work  as  fit 
only  for  slaves.  The  owners  of  plantations  were  rich  men, 
their  children  were  educated  abroad,  and,  as  a rule,  spent 
most  of  their  time  in  foreign  travel.  A large  proportion  of 
them  were  simply  alien  landlords.  Unskilled  in  business, 
when  the  change  took  place  and  the  slaves  were  freed,  these 


;6 


Industrial  Cuba 


people  were  not  prepared  to  meet  the  new  conditions  which 
confronted  them  and  to  adjust  themselves  to  a new  form  of 
life.  Here  the  Spaniard,  who  is  always  anxious  for  gain, 
took  advantage  of  the  situation,  and  at  the  end  of  the  re- 
bellion of  1868-1878  the  Cuban  planters,  who  were  formerly 
rich,  found  themselves  impoverished.  Their  slave  labour 
had  been  taken  from  them,  their  opportunities  for  further 
employment  of  contract  coolies  had  been  lost,  and  they 
found  themselves  in  need  of  outside  assistance.  The  Span- 
iards and  some  others  responded  by  advancing  money  to 
them  at  the  current  rate  of  interest  (twelve  per  cent.),  but 
the  planters,  unaccustomed  to  economise,  could  not  pay  ex- 
penses and  interest,  and  year  by  year  their  debts  grew 
heavier.  Some  managed  to  continue  operations,  but  many 
broke  down  under  their  burdens  and  their  plantations  went 
to  satisfy  their  creditors,  chiefly  Spaniards.  Short  of  labour, 
the  crops  declined ; and  to  add  to  their  troubles,  beet-sugar 
made  its  advent.  The  European  beet-growers,  with  a clear 
knowledge  of  conditions  in  the  Island,  were  quick  to  take 
advantage  of  them  and  push  their  product  forward  to 
supply  the  Cuban  cane-sugar  deficit,  and  so  successful  were 
they  that  at  the  end  of  the  insurrection  of  1868,  say  in 
1878,  Cuba  was  practically  bankrupt.  Competition  with 
the  European  beet-growers  was  difficult,  and  it  was  impos- 
sible to  induce  capital  from  the  United  States  to  restore  the 
sugar  industry  of  Cuba,  owing  to  a lack  of  confidence  in 
the  stability  of  the  government  of  the  Island. 

During  the  ten  years  of  rebellion,  the  planters  were  able 
to  protect  their  property  by  paying  regular  taxes  to  the 
Spanish  Government,  and  at  the  same  time  allowing  a cert- 
ain amount  to  the  insurgents,  who  agreed  for  this  not  to 
destroy  the  plantations.  During  this  period  they  employed 
slave  and  coolie  labour;  but  they  were  then  subject  to  the 
Moret  law,  which  was,  in  effect,  that  each  planter  should 
liberate  a certain  number  of  his  slaves  each  year,  and  this 
was  to  continue  until  slavery  had  disappeared.  Before 
this  occurred,  however,  the  treaty  of  Zanjon  was  made, 


CANE  CUTTERS. 


Outlook  in  Cuba  for  Labour 


77 


whereby  all  slaves  were  liberated.  By  the  Moret  law, 
numbers  were  given  to  the  slaves  by  the  municipality,  the 
name  and  number  of  the  slave  written  on  a slip,  which  was 
put  in  a box  and  each  year  ten  per  cent,  of  the  names  were 
drawn  out.  The  owners  were  then  officially  notified  that 
certain  slaves,  giving  their  numbers,  were  free,  and  this  was 
published  in  a local  paper.  Most  of  these  slaves  remained 
with  the  planters.  This  law  had  a very  good  effect. 

Returning  for  a moment  to  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion 
of  1868,  it  is  necessary  to  refer  to  another  sad  page  in  the 
history  of  labour  in  Cuba;  namely,  the  introduction  of 
coolie  labour  from  China.  In  1869  the  importation  of 
slaves  into  Cuba  was  stopped,  and  then  commenced  the 
traffic  in  coolies,  who  were  shipped  from  China,  cargoes  of 
them  being  landed  at  Havana.  They  were  brought  over 
under  a contract  for  eight  years  by  a company  in  Havana 
which  had  its  own  line  of  steamers.  The  contracts  were 
sold  to  anyone  who  wished  to  buy  them,  at  from  four  hun- 
dred to  five  hundred  dollars  per  contract.  The  conditions 
of  a contract  were  that  the  Chinaman  was  to  serve  for  eight 
years.  He  was  to  be  paid  at  the  rate  of  four  dollars  per 
month,  with  rations,  and  was  to  receive  two  suits  of  clothes 
and  a blanket.  If  ill  for  fifteen  days,  his  wages  were  to  be 
deducted  and  his  time  lost. 

One  of  the  conditions  of  the  contract  was  that  at  the  end 
of  eight  years  he  was  to  be  considered  a citizen  of  Cuba  with 
such  privileges  as  were  extended  to  Spanish  subjects.  Be- 
fore the  expiration  of  the  eight  years,  however,  those  hold- 
ing these  Chinese  contracts  were  notified  by  the  Spanish 
authorities  that  at  the  expiration  of  the  contract  of  any 
coolie  in  their  employ  they  were  to  deliver  said  coolie  to 
the  authorities  of  the  locality  where  they  were  at  work. 
Here,  the  authorities  placed  the  coolie  on  public  land,  ob- 
liging him  to  work  for  the  municipality,  and  held  him  there 
until  someone  offered  to  take  him  under  a new  contract. 
This  was  entirely  by  force  and  not  optional  on  the  part  of 
the  coolie.  The  conditions  of  the  new  contract  were  for 


78 


Industrial  Cuba 


four  years  more  at  seventeen  dollars  per  month,  twelve  dol- 
lars of  which  were  to  be  retained  by  the  municipality,  and 
five  dollars  were  to  be  given  to  the  coolie.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  the  four  years,  if  the  coolie’s  conduct  had  been  satis- 
factory to  his  employer,  then  the  municipality  was  to  return 
to  the  Chinaman  the  money  it  had  retained.  The  treatment 
of  these  coolies  was  quite  as  severe  as  was  ever  meted  out 
to  an  African,  and  when  this  condition  of  affairs  was  learned 
by  the  Chinese  Government,  a commission  was  sent  to  Cuba 
to  investigate.  A report  was  made  to  the  Chinese  Govern- 
ment, which  resulted  in  the  prohibition  of  further  coolie 
emigration  from  China  to  Cuba. 

Confronted  by  the  loss  of  his  slaves  and  by  the  prohibition 
of  further  contracts  for  coolie  labour,  the  Cuban  was  at  a 
loss  whither  to  turn  for  help.  His  only  hope  lay  with  the 
Spanish  peasants  and  the  Canary  Islanders,  and  these,  in  as 
large  numbers  as  could  be  secured,  were  imported.  They 
were  much  more  valuable  than  the  slaves  or  the  coolies,  but 
jealousies  arose  among  the  Cuban  labourers,  and  the  new- 
comers, being  less  numerous,  were  unable  to  protect  them- 
selves and  in  many  instances  were  forced  into  the  towns  for 
protection,  thus  leaving  the  planters  quite  as  short  of  labour 
as  before,  and  at  the  same  time  increasing  the  complications 
of  the  labour  problem. 

In  this  condition  we  find  Cuba  to-day.  The  great  pro- 
blem will  be  how  to  obtain  labour  for  the  plantations,  for  the 
mines,  and  for  agricultural  purposes,  in  order  to  carry  on 
the  work  of  industrial  reconstruction.  All  sorts  of  schemes 
have  been  suggested,  but  upon  examination  of  the  condi- 
tions in  Cuba,  it  is  feared  they  will  prove  impracticable. 
The  life  of  the  labourer,  in  consequence  of  the  lack  of  divers- 
ified employment,  and  the  fact  that  labour  in  Cuba  is  the 
severest  kind  of  toil,  has  few  attractions.  If  the  Spanish 
soldiers  are  willing  to  remain  and  take  up  peaceful  pursuits, 
it  will  aid  in  the  solution  of  the  problem.  Possibly  Italians 
may  be  induced  to  emigrate  to  Cuba,  if  assured  of  a stable 
government  and  plenty  of  work.  The  opportunity  (small 


Outlook  in  Cuba  for  Labour 


79 


allotments  and  homes)  is  limited,  and  the  drudgery  on 
large  plantations,  without  family  life,  is  not  likely  to  attract 
those  from  Europe  who  are  ever  eager  to  seek  homes  and 
broader  opportunities  in  the  United  States. 

When  in  Cuba,  the  author  visited  many  plantations  and 
talked  with  many  planters  and  overseers  on  the  labour  ques- 
tion. The  extracts  from  notes  taken  on  the  spot  will  be 
found  instructive  on  this  point.  The  following  excellent 
explanatory  account  of  farm  labour  was  prepared  by  an 
American  who  has  spent  the  best  part  of  his  life  on  Cuban 
plantations  and  is  now  working  a prosperous  colona,  or  cane 
farm : 

“ From  the  ist  of  December  to  the  ist  of  June  an  average  of 
about  350  people  were  employed;  of  these  ten  per  cent,  were 
Canary  Islanders  or  Spaniards,  ten  per  cent,  negro  women  and 
boys  (white  women  do  no  field  work),  twenty  per  cent,  native 
whites,  and  about  sixty  per  cent,  negroes  and  mulattos.  From 
the  ist  of  June  to  the  ist  of  December  an  average  of  about  150 
were  employed.  Women  do  no  field  work  during  this  period. 

“ During  harvest  I give  the  negro  women  preference  and  pay 
them  the  same  salaries  as  the  best  male  labour;  they  are  more 
constant,  their  work  is  usually  well  done,  and  each  one  keeps  her 
man  straight,  which  is  an  appreciable  item. 

“ Next  I prefer  the  negro,  because  he  is,  as  a rule,  a more 
faithful  worker  than  either  the  native  white  or  mulatto,  the  most 
of  whom  are  addicted  to  gambling,  and  they  cannot  be  depended 
on  from  one  day  to  another. 

“ For  stowing  cane  on  the  cars,  ploughing,  ditching,  road  re- 
pairing, and  railroad  work,  Canary  Islanders  and  Spaniards  are 
preferable;  they  are  more  used  to  this  kind  of  work,  more  con- 
stant, and  have  fewer  vices. 

“ For  cane  cutting,  carting,  planting,  and  cultivating,  native 
labour,  in  particular  negro  labour,  is  preferable;  because  the 
natives,  being  experts,  work  more  rapidly,  the  cane  plant  suffers 
less  injury,  bringing  in  more  remunerative  returns,  and  its  life  is 
prolonged,  which  is  a big  item  to  the  farmer;  the  natives  are  also 
much  less  addicted  to  smoking  in  the  field,  and  danger  from  this 
source  is  materially  reduced.  But  as  a rule  they  are  dishonest, 


8o 


Industrial  Cuba 


and  untruthful  in  the  extreme,  and  this  is  general  and  applies 
both  to  whites  and  blacks,  the  latter  being  the  champions. 
Canary  Islanders  and  Spaniards  are  cigarette  smokers  and  they 
are  dangerous  in  the  cane  fields. 

“ At  the  present  time  labour  is  very  poor  and  very  much  de- 
moralised. Many  of  the  abler  men  are  in  the  insurrection,  a 
great  number  of  those  remaining  have  seen  mothers,  wives,  and 
children  dying  a lingering  death  from  hunger;  some  could  obtain 
work  for  their  food,  while  others  earned  a salary  of  from  six  to 
eight  dollars  per  month  in  depreciated  Spanish  silver.  Pro- 
visions were  high,  and  the  Government  increased  taxes  on  meats 
and  other  necessaries,  until  these  poor  ignorant  people,  bent  down 
by  great  sorrow  and  seeing  no  help  for  themselves,  gave  up  in 
despair  and  became  indifferent. 

“ During  the  past  crop,  as  well  as  at  the  present  time,  I employ 
a considerable  number  of  Asiatics,  but  many  of  these  are  opium 
smokers  and  much  debilitated,  and  we  calculate  on  sixty  per 
cent,  only  being  at  work,  while  forty  per  cent,  are  resting  in 
their  barracon.1 

SALARIES 

“ The  average  salaries  paid  by  this  colona  during  normal 
times,  that  is,  previous  to  the  insurrection,  were  about  as  follows: 
ALL  THE  YEAR 

Administration per  month,  $166.66  gold,  and  maintenance. 


Servant 

“ “ 30.00 

n 

4 4 

4 4 

Overseer 

“ “ 85.OO 

«« 

4 1 

44 

Second  overseer 

“ “ 35.OO 

« < 

4 4 

4 4 

Steward  and  bookkeeper 

“ “ 50.00 

« i 

44 

Assistant 

44  “ 25.00 

» 1 

4 4 

Carpenter 

“ “ 35-00 

M 

4 4 

4 4 

Montero 

“ “ 25.OO 

4 1 

1 4 

44 

Assistant 

44  44  20.00 

« I 

44 

44 

Hostler 

44  4 4 20  . 00 

II 

4 4 

44 

Assistant 

44  44  15.00 

44 

44 

44 

Pumping  water 

“ “ 6.00 

1 1 

4 4 

44 

Cook 

44  44  30.00 

1 1 

Assistant 

“ “ 25.00 

4 » 

44 

44 

Night  watchman 

44  44  20.00 

1 1 

4 4 

44 

Mounted  field-guard 

44  44  30.00 

4 1 

1 1 

44 

<«  44  44 

44  44  25.00 

44 

4 4 

44 

1 Barracones  are  the  buildings  occupied  by  the  working  people. 


Outlook  in  Cuba  for  Labour 


81 


DURING  CROP  TIME 

Mounted  field  guard per  month,  $25.00  gold,  and  maintenance. 


“ <<  “ 

25.00 

4 4 

44 

4 4 

Time-keeper 

« 4 

20.00 

4 4 

4 4 

44 

Waiter  for  operatives’  table. . . . 

4 t 

15-00 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Vegetable  gardener 

4 i 

« 4 

20.00 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Bueyero 

4 4 

t i 

22.00 

4 4 

4 4 

44 

Assistant 

4 l 

4 4 

16.00 

4 4 

4 4 

44 

“ 

< 4 

4< 

12.00 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Foreman  with  cartmen 

4 4 

4 4 

30.00 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Assistant 

4 4 

4 4 

23.00 

4 4 

4 4 

44 

Foreman  with  stevedores 

4 4 

4 4 

28.00 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Cartmen 

4 « 

4 4 

23.00 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Ploughmen 

4 4 

4 4 

23.OO 

4 4 

44 

44 

Cane  cutters 

< 4 

4 4 

21.00 

44 

4 4 

4 4 

Cane  lifters 

4 1 

1 4 

15.00 

4 4 

4 4 

44 

Cane  loaders  (stevedores) 

( 4 

4 4 

21.00 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

“ During  the  summer  months  wages  for  field  labour  averaged 
about  $17  per  month.  Cost  for  maintaining  labour  averaged 
about  $7.50  per  month  in  gold;  cost  for  maintaining  overseers, 
foremen,  carpenters,  cooks,  stewards,  guards,  etc.,  amounted  to 
about  $12  per  month. 

“ Rations  for  each  man  per  day  were  as  follows: 

“ Clear  beef,  one  pound,  or  its  equivalent  in  tasajo  or  salt  fish. 

“ Rice,  one  pound,  or  its  equivalent  in  beans,  peas,  macaroni, 

etc. 

“ Lard,  two  ounces. 

“ Coffee,  one  ounce. 

“ Sugar,  two  ounces. 

“ Bread,  six  ounces,  or  instead  of  bread,  sweet  potatoes, 
plantains,  or  melanga. 

“ Sweet-oil,  bacon,  salt,  and  spices  sufficient  to  season  the  food. 

“ During  the  winter  months,  cabbage,  tomatoes,  and  turnips  are 
served  every  day  without  regard  to  rations. 

RULES  AND  REGULATIONS 

“ When  a labourer  enters  his  name  on  the  pay-roll  he  receives 
his  machete  or  hoe,  tin  plate,  tin  dipper,  and  spoon,  the  same 
being  charged  to  him  and  credited  when  returned. 

“ Time-keeper  makes  his  rounds  twice  every  day. 


82 


Industrial  Cuba 


“ Away  from  the  batey  1 smoking  is  absolutely  prohibited,  and 
the  penalty  is  immediate  dimissal. 

“ Salaries  are  paid  any  day  between  n a.m.  and  i p.m.,  Sun- 
days excepted,  to  those  who  desire  the  money. 

“ Except  in  case  of  sickness,  meals  are  charged  to  those  who 
are  not  at  work. 

“ To  the  sick  such  medicines  as  we  have  are  given  free;  the 
most  prominent  of  these  is  quinine. 

“ If  a man  remains  in  the  barracon  sick  for  more  than  two  days 
he  is  sent  to  his  home,  or  to  a hospital.  If  it  is  an  injury  received 
in  the  service  of  the  colona,  he  is  cared  for  until  able  to  work 
again. 

“ The  bell  tolls  at  4 a.m.  for  the  people  to  get  up;  at  break  of 
day,  after  having  drunk  a cup  of  coffee,  they  go  to  the  field;  at 
11  o’clock  they  return  to  breakfast;  at  1 o’clock  they  again  go  to 
the  field;  at  6 o’clock  they  come  in  to  dinner,  and  at  8 o’clock 
the  bell  sounds  silence,  after  which  absolute  quiet  is  enforced. 
The  negro  is  fond  of  his  music  and  dancing,  and  this  is  per- 
mitted at  seasonable  hours,  and  sometimes  the  overseer  gives 
special  permission  to  prolong  their  amusements  beyond  the  usual 
hour. 

“ Gambling  is  prohibited,  but  the  rule  cannot  be  successfully 
enforced. 

“ In  the  dry  season  (at  mid-day)  when  the  people  are  in  the 
batey,  sentinels  are  stationed  on  the  hills  to  give  timely  warning 
of  cane  fires. 

“ Armed  guards  patrol  the  fields  by  day,  and  guard  the  cattle 
at  night — this  applies  to  times  of  peace. 

ADVANTAGES  OF  LARGE  COLONAS  OVER  SMALL 

ONES 

“ During  my  experience  in  this  vicinity  I have  never  known  a 
single  instance  where  a small  colona  prospered  or  was  able  to  ex- 
tricate itself  from  debt,  and  this  condition  is  owing  to  various 
causes.  A colona  employing  from  three  hundred  to  four  hundred 
men  can  be  carried  on  more  economically  than  one  employing 
from  one  hundred  to  two  hundred  men.  The  high-salaried  men 
in  the  one  are  very  nearly  the  same  as  in  the  other,  but  the  small 
1 Batey  is  the  space  occupied  by  the  buildings. 


Outlook  in  Cuba  for  Labour 


83 


farmers  with  fifty  or  two  hundred  acres  fare  much  worse.  These 
purchase  everything  they  require  at  retail,  often  paying  from 
fifteen  to  thirty  per  cent,  more  than  the  large  farmers,  who  pur- 
chase at  wholesale  and  receive  rebate  for  prompt  payment.  A 
small  farmer  employing  ten  men  requires  a cook;  the  larger,  em- 
ploying three  hundred  men,  requires  but  two  cooks.  The  small 
farmer  is  always  cramped  for  money,  has  but  a limited  credit 
with  the  central,  and  outside  of  that  none,  except  with  an  occas- 
ional country  storekeeper,  who  may  consider  the  risk  and  ac- 
commodate him  by  charging  exorbitant  interest.  The  money 
which  ought  to  be  expended  on  the  cane  fields  goes  to  pay  this 
interest,  his  fields  get  to  such  low  ebb  that  the  cane  no  longer 
pays  the  expense  for  harvesting,  he  can  obtain  no  money  for  re- 
planting, fails  to  pay  his  rent,  and  the  owner  of  the  land  takes 
possession  of  what  remains,  resulting  in  some  other  poor  fellow 
stepping  in  only  to  repeat  his  predecessor’s  experience. 

“ The  cost  for  preparing,  breaking  up,  cross-ploughing,  making, 
furrowing,  seed  cane,  planting,  cultivating,  wear  and  tear  to  im- 
plements, and  weeding  one  caballeria  1 of  cane  to  maturity,  and 
doing  it  well,  is  from  $1400  to  $1600,  according  to  conditions  of 
soil,  salaries,  etc.,  and  under  normal  conditions  will  here  require 
from  three  to  four  years  before  the  farmer  can  see  any  profits, 
and  then  only  by  intelligent  management  and  good  soil;  soil 
which  requires  planting  every  three  to  five  years  will  ruin  any 
man. 

“ The  average  yield  of  cane  per  caballeria  in  Guabairo  for  1895 
was  about  71,500  arrobas,’  and  the  cost  per  one  hundred  arrobas 
for  weeding,  cutting,  carting,  and  delivering  to  the  central 
amounted  to  about  $1.84. 

“ During  the  crop  time  we  employed  from  one  hundred  and 
fifty  to  two  hundred  Chinamen;  of  the  balance  of  the  labourers, 
probably  there  were  more  negroes  than  Spanish,  with  the  white 
Cubans  in  a distinct  minority.  The  Chinamen  we  have  here  now 
make  very  steady  workmen,  but  they  are  weak,  and  not  able  to 
do  as  much  work  per  day  as  either  a negro  or  a Spaniard  can  do 
in  the  field.  The  best  workmen  we  have,  if  we  can  get  enough 
of  them,  are  the  negroes.  One  negro  in  cutting  cane,  can  do  as 

1 A caballeria  contains  324  cordeles  or  33^  acres. 

5 An  arroba  is  twenty-five  pounds. 


84 


Industrial  Cuba 


much  as  two  of  any  other  class;  but  I do  not  think  this  country 
is  adapted  for  the  American  negro,  from  what  I have  heard  of 
him,  as  he  would  have  to  put  up  with  hardships  here,  and  a style 
of  eating  and  living  which,  I imagine,  is  not  as  good  as  he  has 
in  the  southern  part  of  the  United  States.  The  immigration  of 
Chinese  is  prohibited,  although  a few  manage  to  get  in  at  a time. 
I do  not  know  of  any  other  restrictions  on  immigration.  I do  not 
believe  the  Jamaica  negro  would  make  a good  workman;  for, 
from  what  I have  heard  of  him,  he  is  very  lazy,  and  would  not  be 
at  all  a desirable  labourer.  Thus  our  only  hope  for  labour  is  to 
retain  here  the  Canary  Islanders,  because  they  are  harder  work- 
ing and  can  stand  the  climate  better  than  others.  They  are  men 
who  can  save  money  here,  and  that  in  itself  is  proof  that  they 
must  be  steady  workmen,  because  they  earn  so  little.  Galicians 
are  also  good  workers,  but  so  far  as  I know  of  the  men  working 
here,  the  Canary  Islanders  are  the  best.  The  white  men  are 
mainly  employed  as  stevedores  in  the  batey,  though  they  are  also 
good  labourers  in  the  field. 

“Asa  rule  the  labourers  are  not  married.  The  families  of  the 
married  labourers  live  in  the  villages  in  the  neighbourhood.  The 
men  must  sleep  in  the  batey  at  night.  Sunday  they  work  half  a 
day,  and  get  paid  for  a full  day,  provided  they  have  worked  five 
full  days  during  the  week;  otherwise  they  only  get  half  a day’s 
pay.  The  men  sleep  in  large  rooms  called  barracones;  sleeping  in 
hammocks,  and  not  taking  their  clothes  off.  Many  of  them  pos- 
sess but  one  suit,  and  on  Sundays,  after  breakfast,  they  go  to  a 
stream,  wash  their  clothes,  lie  around  until  they  are  dry,  and  then 
put  them  on  again.  For  the  better  class  of  workmen,  employed 
in  the  factory,  the  machinery  helpers,  etc.,  we  have  bath-houses. 
These  men  have  rooms,  and  as  a rule  they  are  unmarried.  Most 
of  the  labouring  men,  if  they  have  families,  when  they  are  paid 
off,  go  away  for  a day,  or  a day  and  a half,  and  take  their  money 
to  their  families,  and  then  come  back  to  work.  Those  who  are 
not  married,  keep  on  working  or  stay  off  a few  days.  It  is  quite 
uncommon  to  find  a labouring  man  who  can  read  and  write.  Their 
chief  vice  is  gambling,  the  Cuban  and  Spaniard  being  similar 
about  this,  though  we  try  on  this  estate  to  prevent  gambling  as 
much  as  possible.  The  Chinese  gamble  and  smoke  opium.  The 
bell  rings  at  8 p.m.,  at  which  time  the  men  are  supposed  to  be 


Outlook  in  Cuba  for  Labour 


85 


in  their  barracones,  and  are  not  supposed  to  walk  around  the 
batey,  this  rule  not  being  enforced  except  during  the  last  two 
years. 

“ The  price  of  labour,  in  1895,  for  cutting  cane,  etc.,  before 
the  insurrection  commenced,  varied  from  fourteen  dollars  to 
twenty  dollars  per  month,  Spanish  gold.  This  has  fallen  off  to 
from  twelve  dollars  to  fifteen  dollars,  Spanish  silver,  paid  during 
the  past  crop  for  the  same  labour — in  American  gold  about  fifty- 
five  per  cent,  of  this.  The  maintenance  per  month  per  man  is 
nine  dollars,  Spanish  gold.  This  fall  in  wages  was  necessitated 
by  the  fall  in  the  price  of  sugar,  and  by  the  fact  that  but  few 
plantations  in  the  neighbourhood  were  able  to  continue  working.” 

Labour  seeking  employment  in  Cuba  must  face  these 
conditions.  That  the  field  will  prove  sufficiently  attractive 
to  tempt  immigration  in  large  numbers,  even  from  the 
poorer  sections  of  Europe,  is  doubtful.  Still,  with  more 
prosperous  times,  the  Canary  Islanders  may  try  their  fort- 
unes in  the  future  as  they  have  tried  them  successfully  in 
the  past;  and  so  with  Italians,  Spaniards,  South  and  Cent- 
ral Americans,  and  even  the  Southern  negro  of  the  United 
States,  despite  the  fact,  as  stated  above,  that  the  American 
negro  will  not  come  to  Cuba  because  the  work  is  too  hard 
and  the  food  and  accommodations  too  poor.  But  the  Ameri- 
can negro  will,  unwittingly,  no  doubt  be  the  pioneer  of  a 
new  labour  era  in  Cuba.  With  the  coming  of  the  new  order 
and  new  people,  will  come  higher  ideas  of  labour,  and  that 
which  has  ennobled  labour  in  the  United  States  will  have  its 
elevating  influence  among  the  labouring  people  of  Cuba. 
Herding  labourers  in  barracones  like  so  many  cattle,  sleep- 
ing them,  feeding  them,  bathing  them,  with  less  care  than 
is  shown  to  fine  cattle,  ruling  them  with  whip  and  spur, 
making  no  provision  or  allowing  no  time  for  their  mental 
or  moral  improvement,  regarding  them  merely  as  so  much 
live  stock,  but  of  less  value  than  cattle,  because  when  too 
old  to  work  they  cannot  be  slaughtered  and  eaten,  it  is  small 
wonder  that  the  crying  need  of  the  sugar-planter  for  two 
centuries  has  been  sufficient  and  efficient  labour.  When 


86 


Industrial  Cuba 


the  planter,  under  the  newer  influences  which  shall  soon 
prevail,  learns  that  by  education,  by  the  adoption  and  en- 
forcement of  sanitary  regulations,  by  the  establishment  of 
homes,  by  the  observance  of  the  decent  amenities  of  life, 
by  the  liberalising  of  religious  belief,  by  the  recognition  of 
human  rights,  and  by  the  general  uplifting  of  the  sentiment 
of  work,  a sufficiency  of  labour  may  be  easily  secured,  and 
its  efficiency  guaranteed,  the  problem  so  long  unsolved 
will  be  made  as  clear  as  day,  and  Cuba  will  enter  an  era  of 
prosperity  for  all  classes  that  will  astonish  and  attract  the 
world. 

There  is  at  this  time  a steady  increase  in  the  demand  for 
labour  on  plantations  and,  in  Santiago  Province,  for  the 
mines.  While  in  Cuba  the  author  received  one  cable  des- 
patch calling  for  fifteen  hundred  labourers  for  the  mines, 
while  three  large  planters  stood  ready,  among  them,  to  em- 
ploy a thousand  men  to  work  in  the  sugar  fields.  In  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  sugar  plantations  all  the  able-bodied 
men  had  either  been  killed  in  battle,  died  of  disease  and 
starvation,  or  were  still  in  a state  of  practical  destitution, 
hidden  away  in  the  insurgent  camps.  Those  who  offered 
themselves  for  employment  were,  as  a rule,  too  weak  to 
endure  the  hard  labour.  Three  years  of  privations  and  lack 
of  food  had  destroyed  their  stamina.  To  be  sure,  there  is 
surplus  labour  in  Havana, — able-bodied  labour, — but  those 
who  applied  there  had  no  means  of  transportation  to  the 
localities  where  they  could  obtain  work.  Through  a sug- 
gestion made  by  the  writer  to  an  enterprising  American 
concern,  four  hundred  of  these  Havana  labourers  were  sent 
to  Santiago.  It  is  estimated  that  at  least  three  thousand 
additional  labourers  could  be  well  employed  in  these  mines 
at  once,  if  it  were  possible  to  send  them  from  the  spots 
where  starvation  stares  them  in  the  face  to  the  localities 
where  work  can  be  obtained  for  those  able  to  endure,  as 
already  indicated,  the  hardest  toil  under  trying  climatic 
conditions.  Many  Spanish  soldiers  desire  to  remain  in  the 
Island.  They  have  formed  alliances  in  Cuba;  some  of  them 


Outlook  in  Cuba  for  Labour 


87 


have  married  and  have  families  there.  These  men  have 
come  before  American  officials  and  entreated  them  to  aid 
in  finding  them  employment  of  some  kind,  either  as  Civil 
Guards,  in  the  mines,  or  on  the  plantations.  As  a rule  they 
make  industrious  and  faithful  labourers.  Attention  is  called 
to  an  extract  from  a letter  written  by  a prominent  business 
man  of  Havana, — the  man,  in  fact,  who  in  October  was  em- 
ployed to  send  the  four  hundred  labourers  from  that  city  to 
Santiago : 

“I  advertised  for  labourers  in  the  Santiago  mines  in  our  prin- 
cipal newspapers,  and,  in  consequence,  have  had  for  the  last  three 
days  at  least  one  hundred  and  twenty  men  calling  at  my  office 
for  situations.  They  are  willing  to  accept  the  price  offered,  but 
not  one  of  them  can  pay  the  passage  from  this  port  to  Santiago. 

“ Lots  of  soldiers,  lots  of  labourers,  many  of  whom  have  already 
worked  in  the  Santiago  mines  and  know  all  about  the  work,  liv- 
ing, and  everything  else,  but  were  taken  away  from  there  as 
guerrillas,  volunteers,  and  soldiers  of  some  kind,  are  willing  to  go; 
but,  as  you  will  understand,  the  people  here  have  been  without 
work  and  the  soldiers  without  any  pay,  and  therefore  nobody  can 
pay  the  passage. 

“ While  I have  been  writing  these  lines  several  men  have  called 
on  me,  but  it  is  the  same  thing  over  and  over  again  ; they  need 
work,  and  are  willing  to  work,  but  they  have  not  got  one  cent  to 
save  their  souls.” 

It  is  believed  this  indicates  clearly  and  without  exaggera- 
tion the  present  conditions  in  Havana  as  regards  would-be 
labourers  and  their  suffering  for  want  of  work.  During 
fifteen  years’  experience  in  operating  iron  mines  in  Cuba, 
those  who  know  say,  the  labour  question  there  has  always 
been  the  unsolved  problem,  as  never  during  that  time  have 
they  been  able  fully  to  supply  their  wants  in  this  direction. 
If  the  number  of  labourers  has  not  in  normal  times  been 
sufficient  to  satisfy  the  requirements  of  all  industries  in 
Cuba,  how  much  will  it  fall  short  under  the  new  conditions  ? 
The  only  hope  for  the  renewal  of  prosperity  in  the  Island  is, 


88 


Industrial  Cuba 


first,  the  rehabilitation  of  the  sugar  industry;  second,  a 
revival  of  work  on  the  tobacco  plantations;  and  third,  a full 
complement  of  men  in  the  mining  districts.  These  indus- 
tries are  the  basis  of  the  prosperity  of  the  Island.  A better 
distribution  of  labour  will  aid  somewhat,  and  if  this  is  ac- 
complished intelligently  by  the  United  States  Government, 
employment  can  be  found  for  thousands  whose  presence  in 
Havana  without  work  is  a menace  to  the  city.  It  should  be 
borne  in  mind  that  the  Cuban  harvest  is  in  the  winter 
months,  and  therefore  plans  should  at  once  be  inaugurated 
by  which  those  who  want  work  can  be  immediately  brought 
to  those  anxious  to  give  them  employment.  A small  ex- 
penditure of  money  in  this  direction  now  will  save  a large 
expenditure  in  the  future  in  some  other  and  less  desirable 
ways. 

It  is  useless  to  try  to  create  new  industries  until  the  old 
and  strong  industries  of  the  Island  are  re-established.  If 
it  is  difficult,  after  the  Spanish  soldiers  leave,  to  secure  the 
necessary  labour  for  the  plantations,  producing,  as  they  will 
this  year,  a maximum  of  400,000  tons  of  sugar  for  export, 
where  are  the  labourers  coming  from  to  produce  the  high- 
water  mark  of  1,100,000  tons  of  sugar  ? The  process  of 
industrial  reconstruction  will  necessarily  be  slow  and  depend 
in  a large  degree  upon  the  stability  of  the  Government  and 
the  rapidity  with  which  the  people  settle  down  to  work. 
There  is  no  possibility,  however,  of  a surplus  labour  supply. 
W ork  can  be  found  for  all  capable  and  willing  to  perform 
hard  labour  now  that  the  affairs  of  the  Island  have  passed 
into  the  hands  of  the  United  States  military  authorities  and 
the  new  customs  tariff  has  gone  into  force.  From  this  time 
the  work  of  repairing  the  dismantled  sugar  plantations  should 
go  forward  and  thousands  of  labourers  will  be  required. 
W hatever  may  be  the  future  of  Cuba,  the  present  must  be 
provided  for  and  life  and  property  and  the  right  to  labour 
be  protected. 

The  disposal  of  the  insurgent  troops  is  so  intimately  in- 
terwoven with  the  labour  problem  that  it  is  difficult  to 


Outlook  in  Cuba  for  Labour 


89 


separate  the  two.  Some  of  the  insurgent  troops  should 
be,  and  probably  will  be,  utilised  as  Civil  Guards,  supple- 
menting the  United  States  forces;  but  those  who  are  not 
needed  for  this  purpose  should  be  systematically  aided  as 
far  as  possible  in  any  endeavours  they  may  make  to  secure 
work.  Men  with  hardly  clothes  to  cover  their  nakedness, 
who  have  existed  for  three  years  on  a diet  that  would  kill 
the  ordinary  American  labourer  in  three  weeks,  and  who 
have  practically  foraged  for  their  daily  existence,  must  be 
helped  a little  before  they  can  stand  alone — helped  at  least 
to  the  extent  of  food  and  raiment  and  transportation  to  the 
locality  where  there  is  work  in  abundance. 

Lastly,  in  this  connection,  the  need  of  homes  in  Cuba  is 
one  of  the  most  pressing.  The  condition  of  those  who 
labour  on  the  plantations  is  truly  deplorable.  They  liter- 
ally have  none  of  the  necessities  of  civilisation.  A complete 
state  of  savagery  would  be  preferable  to  the  condition  of 
those  employed  on  the  sugar  estates,  who  toil  from  early 
sunrise  to  sunset  on  rations  of  the  plainest  sort,  and  live  in 
huts  built  of  the  bark  of  palm  trees  and  thatched  with  the 
palm  leaf. 


CHAPTER  VII 


THE  POPULATION  OF  CUBA 

THE  number  and  the  characteristics  of  the  people  of  Cuba 
are  matters  of  doubt.  If  not  of  doubt  exactly,  at 
least  there  seem  to  be  many  discrepancies  in  relation  to  the 
numerical  side  of  the  problem,  and  great  variation  in  opinion 
as  to  the  qualities  and  peculiarities  of  the  several  classes  of 
inhabitants  which  constitute  the  people  of  the  Island.  Be- 
fore attempting  to  discuss  the  traits  of  the  people,  it  may 
be  advisable  to  ascertain,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  compon- 
ent parts  of  the  population,  and  for  that  purpose  recourse 
must  be  had  to  such  statistical  data  as  may  be  found  avail- 
able. The  census  report  of  Cuba  can  be  obtained,  but  it  is 
not  issued,  like  our  own,  in  book  form,  or  even  as  printed 
reports.  The  results,  moreover,  are  not  worked  out  with 
any  degree  of  detail  as  to  age,  sex,  race,  marital  condition, 
occupation,  and  such  other  data  as  make  an  analysis  of  the 
population  of  the  United  States  a comparatively  easy  task. 
The  first  census  of  Cuba  was  taken  as  far  back  as  1774,  and 
since  then  the  population  has  been  enumerated  at  various 
periods,  apparently  when  it  suited  the  convenience  or  de- 
sire of  the  authorities  at  Madrid.  The  last  count  of  the 
people  was  in  December,  1897,  but  the  returns  from  this 
enumeration  have  not  been  tabulated.  The  authorities 
admit  they  are  imperfect  in  the  four  provinces  of  Pinar  del 
Rio,  Havana,  Matanzas,  and  Santa  Clara,  and  that  they 
lack  entirely  the  population  of  Puerto  Principe  and  Santiago 
de  Cuba.  It  may,  therefore,  be  expedient  that  this  work 
should  be  abandoned  and  that  the  United  States  authorities 
should  take  a complete  and  satisfactory  census  of  the  Island 


90 


The  Population  of  Cuba  91 

in  December  (for  it  cannot  be  taken  in  the  month  of  June), 
1899,  or  December,  1900,  either  of  which  dates  will  be  near 
enough  to  the  date  of  our  own  Twelfth  Census,  which  will 
be  June  1,  1900 — the  earlier  date  will  probably  be  better  for 
Cuba  and  nearer  our  own  census.  Such  an  enumeration 
should  elicit  information  in  relation  to  occupations  and  such 
social  topics  as  will  aid  in  constructing  a suitable  govern- 
ment for  the  people  of  Cuba.  The  method  of  taking  the 
Cuban  census  has  been  crude  and  the  returns  not  very 
reliable.  The  organisation  for  the  work  has  always  been 
made  in  Spain  and  delegated  to  a Central  Board  in  Cuba, 
which  board  is  presided  over  by  a Cabinet  Minister — the 
last  by  Mr.  Montoro,  Secretary  of  State.  The  Secretary  to 
this  Board  is  the  Director  of  Census.  The  schedules  are 
then  forwarded  to  the  municipalities,  who  thus  control  their 
own  enumerations.  Fortunately  for  Cuba,  there  are  no 
“ boom  towns,”  so  the  returns  are  not  unduly  padded. 
The  schedules  for  the  rural  districts  are  handled  from  the 
capital  of  the  province.  When  the  schedules  are  filled, 
they  are  sent  to  Havana,  where  the  work  of  tabulation  is 
performed.  The  completed  work  is  sent  to  Spain  for  ap- 
proval and  promulgation.  The  method  seems  roundabout 
and  cumbersome  and  must  result  in  a large  percentage  of 
errors.  The  official  who  had  charge  of  the  last  census  ad- 
mitted it  was  not  exact — excepting  possibly  for  some  places 
where  the  municipal  authorities  took  pride  in  the  work. 
This  was  the  case  in  Matanzas,  where  a census  was  taken 
in  1893,  which  seems  on  the  face  to  be  careful  statistical 
work.  A study  of  the  census  columns  of  unfortunate  Cuba 
reveals  the  story  of  that  Island  in  unmistakable  terms. 
(See  table  on  page  92.) 

Disease  and  war  have  performed  their  fatal  work  and  from 
time  to  time  decimated  the  inhabitants.  The  cheerful  side 
of  the  picture  is  the  constant  increase  of  population  from 
1852  to  1867.  These  few  years  were  called  the  Golden  Age 
of  Cuba.  The  cholera  visited  Cuba  at  the  end  of  the  year 
1868,  and  the  Ten  Years’  War  began  October  10,  1868,  at 


92 


Industrial  Cuba 


which  time  many  Cubans  emigrated.  This  will  explain  the 
decrease  of  the  year  1869.  From  1870  to  1877  Spanish  sol- 
diers poured  into  the  country,  and  not  less  than  200,000 
Spaniards  were  sent  there  to  crush  the  insurrection  of  1868 
to  1878  (Ten  Years’  War). 


POPULATION  OF  CUBA  AT  THE  SEVERAL  ENUMERATIONS 
OF  THE  POPULATION  OF  THE  ISLAND 


Years. 

Totals. 

Increase 
Per  cent. 

Decrease 
Per  cent. 

1774 

171,620 

176,167 

273.939 

1787 

2.64 

55-49 

1702 

1804 

• • • • 

1810 

600,000 

635,604 

57*69 

«jQ  QQ 

1817 

5-93 

1819 

12.99 

1825 

1827 

704,487 

755,695 

1,007,625 

898,754 

1-47 

1830 

1841 

7*zo 

33*33 

1846 

1849 

5.19 

2.99 
1.05 
6. 11 

1850 

1852 

V ! 0^  / 

984,042 

1,044,185 

1855 

1857 

1859 

1,129,304 

6.31 

1.72 

6.20 

• . • • 

i860 

1862 

1,396,470 

1.426,475 

1,399.811 

1,446,372 

1,521,684 

1,631,687 

1867 

.... 

1869 

z.  14 

T KA 

1874 

3-32 

1877 

.... 

1887 

7.23 

.... 

1899  (est.) 

....  ‘‘••vo 

Then  came  the  last  war,  which  has  been  even  more  disas- 
trous, and  many  competent  authorities  put  the  loss  by 
disease,  starvation,  and  slain  at  400,000.  It  is  impossible 
to  verify  these  figures  until  we  shall  have  an  accurate  enum- 
eration of  the  population,  so  it  must  remain  guesswork 
until  then.  Whatever  the  result  of  the  next  census  may 
show,  the  fact  remains  apparent  that  the  population  of 
Cuba,  by  reason  of  its  misfortunes,  is  far  behind  the  natural 
increment ; that  is,  the  growth  by  excess  of  births  over 


A COUNTRY  VILLA. 


93 


The  Population  of  Cuba 


deaths.  This  is  shown  by  the  following  table,  giving  the 
estimated  population  of  the  Island  of  Cuba  from  1774  to 
1894,  by  decades,  taking  the  average  rate  of  increase  of  the 
native  population  in  the  United  States  by  census  decades: 


Year. 

Estimated 

Population. 

1774 

171,620 

As  by  Mr.  Bonnet’s 

1784 

216,928 

table  as  increased  by 

1794 

274,197 

U nited  States  census 

1804 

346,585 

rates, estimated  aver- 

1814 

438,083 

ages. 

1824 

554,537 

1834 

700,934 

1844 

885,981 

From  1850  to  1890  native 

1854 

1,119,880 

and  foreign  were  given 

1864 

1,459,204 

separately  by  census 

1874 

1,772,718 

takers ; previously  no 

1884 

2,336,442 

such  count  was  made. 

1894 

2,869,150 

In  the  opening  chapter  of  this  volume  the  point  was  made 
that  Cuba,  had  it  been  permitted  to  remain  in  peace  and 
enjoy  its  advantages,  should  have  had  a population  ranging 
from  4,500,000  to  5,000,000.  That  this  statement  is  borne 
out  may  be  noted  in  the  subjoined  table,  which  gives  the 
estimated  population  of  the  Island  of  Cuba  from  1774  to 
1894,  taking  the  average  rate  of  increase  of  the  total  popul- 
ation in  the  United  States,  by  census  decades: 


Year. 

Estimated 

Population. 

1774 

171,620 

231,687 

312,777 

378,460 

516,144 

686,832 

917,264 

1,216,934 

1,653,448 

2,241,745 

2,749,051 

3,575,965 
4,464,950 . 

As  per  Mr.  Bonnet’s  table. 

1784 

1794 

1804 

1814 

1824 

Increased  at  United  States  cen- 

1834 

1 844 

«■ 

sus  rates  for  decades,  estim- 

1854 

ated  averages. 

1864  

1874 

1884  

1804 

94 


Industrial  Cuba 


The  rate  of  growth  of  the  Western  Hemisphere,  had  Cuba 
been  allowed  to  enjoy  her  natural  advantages,  would  have 
found  her  at  the  close  of  1900  with  close  upon  5,000,000 
population  and  a country  as  flourishing  as  that  pictured  in 
the  early  part  of  this  volume. 

The  population  of  the  Island  of  Cuba,  as  enumerated  on 
the  31st  of  December,  1887,  was  1,631,687.  This  popula- 
tion was  scattered  over  an  area  of  about  122,606  square 
kilometres.  These  figures  give  an  average  density  of  pop- 
ulation of  13.31  inhabitants  to  the  square  kilometre,  the 
maximum  of  which  appeared  to  be  in  the  province  of  Havana 
(52-49)>  and  the  minimum  in  the  province  of  Puerto  Principe 
(2.10). 


CENSUS  OF  DECEMBER  31,  1887 


Province. 

Number 

Inhabitants. 

Square 

Kilometres. 

Density  per 
Square 
Kilometre. 

Havana 

451.9-s 

8,610 

52.49 

Matanzas 

259.578 

8,486 

30.59 

Pinar  del  Rio 

225,891 

14.967 

15.09 

Puerto  Principe 

67,789 

32,341 

2.10 

Santa  Clara 

354,122 

23,083 

15.34 

Santiago  de  Cuba 

272,379 

35.119 

7.76 

1,631,687 

122,606 

13,31 

Distributed  as  white  population  and  coloured  people,  the 
latter  comprising  negroes  and  half-breeds  and  Asiatics,  the 
proportions  were  as  follows  : 

CENSUS  OF  DECEMBER  31,  1887 


Province. 

Number 

Inhabitants. 

Density  per 
Square  Kilometre. 

Percentage. 

Whites. 

Coloured. 

Whites. 

Coloured. 

Whites. 

Coloured. 

Havana 

Matanzas 

Pinar  del  Rio 

Puerto  Principe .... 

Santa  Clara 

Santiago  de  Cuba. . . 

335,782 

142,040 

166,6-8 

54.5S1 

245.097 

158.711 

116,146 

117,538 

59.213 

13,208 

109,025 

113,668 

39-00 

16.74 
1 1. 14 
1.69 
10.62 
4 52 

1349 

13.85 

3-95 

0.41 

4.72 

3.24 

74-30 

54,72 

73,79 

80.52 
69  27 
58.27 

2570 

45.28 

26.21 

19.48 

30.73 

41.73 

1,102,889 

528,79s 

9.00  | 4.31 

67,59 

32.41 

1,631,687  13.31  100. 


95 


The  Population  of  Cuba 


It  will  be  observed  that  the  number  of  whites  is  greatest 
in  the  province  of  Havana,  but  the  highest  percentage  of 
whites  is  found  in  the  province  of  Puerto  Principe  (80.52). 
The  province  of  Matanzas  shows  the  greatest  number  of  the 
coloured  race,  which  is  explained  by  the  fact  that  slavery 
prevailed  more  extensively  in  that  province  than  elsewhere. 
The  proportion  of  males  and  females  was  as  follows: 


CENSUS  OF  DECEMBER  31,  1887 


Province. 

Number  of  Inhabitants. 

Percentage. 

Males. 

Females. 

Males. 

Females. 

Havana 

Matanzas 

Pinar  del  Rio 

Puerto  Principe 

Santa  Clara 

Santiago  de  Cuba 

243,966 

148,876 

122,829 

35.843 

193.496 

137,590 

207,962 

110,702 

103,062 

31,946 

160,626 

134,789 

53.98 

57.35 

54-38 

52.87 

54.64 

50.51 

46.02 

42.65 

45.62 

47.13 

45-36 

49-49 

882,600 

749,087 

54.09 

45.91 

Notice  that  in  each  province,  males  are  in  excess  of 
females.  The  immigration  of  women  into  Cuba  has  always 
been  small.  The  proportion  of  males  and  females  of  the 
white  and  coloured  races  is  as  follows: 


CENSUS  OF  DECEMBER  31,  1887 


Province. 

Whites. 

Number  of 

Inhabitants. 

Percentage. 

Males. 

Females. 

Males. 

Females. 

Havana 

188,269 

147,513 

56.07 

43-93 

Matanzas 

79,362 

62,678 

55-87 

44-13 

Pinar  del  Rio 

91,627 

75,051 

54-97 

45.03 

Puerto  Principe 

29,473 

25,108 

53-99 

46.01 

Santa  Clara 

134,412 

110,685 

54.84 

45.16 

Santiago  de  Cuba 

84,044 

74,667 

52.95 

47-05 

607,187 

495,702 

55-05 

44-95 

96 


Industrial  Cuba 


Province. 

Coloured. 

Number  of  Inhabitants. 

Percentage. 

Males. 

Females. 

Males. 

Females. 

Havana 

Matanzas 

Pinar  del  Rio 

Puerto  Principe 

Santa  Clara 

Santiago  de  Cuba. . . . 

55,697 

69,514 

31,202 

6,370 

59,084 

53,546 

60,449 

48,024 

28,011 

6,838 

49,941 

60,122 

47.95 

59-14 

52.69 

48.23 

54-12 

47.20 

52.05 

40.86 

47-31 

51-77 

45.88 

52.80 

275,413 

253,385 

52.46 

47-54 

Notice  that  the  proportion  of  males  is  larger  in  the  white 
race  than  in  the  coloured.  The  enumeration  of  the  popula- 
tion of  Cuba  in  1877  resulted  as  follows: 


CENSUS  OF  YEAR  1877 


Province. 

Number  of 
Inhabitants. 

Density. 

Percentage. 

Whites. 

Coloured. 

Whites. 

Coloured. 

Whites. 

Coloured. 

Havana 

Matanzas 

Pinar  del  Rio 

Puerto  Principe  .... 

Santa  Clara 

Santiago  de  Cuba. . . 

321,951 

160,806 

128,986 

57,692 

219,294 

143,706 

113,945 

122,315 
53.218 
IX,  553 
102,103 
86,115 

37.59 

19. 1 1 
8.62 
1.78 
9-50 
4.09 

13.24 

14-41 

3-55 

0.36 

4.42 

2-45 

73.86 

56.80 

70.79 

83-32 

68.23 

62.53 

26.14 

43.20 

29.21 
16.68 
31-77 
37-47 

1,032,435 

489,249 

8.42 

3-99 

67.85 

32.15 

1,521,684  12.41  100 

The  increase  in  population  from  i877  to  1887  was  110,003 
individuals,  or  7.23  per  cent.  The  number  of  whites  in- 
creased 70,454;  the  number  of  coloured  people  increased 
39-549-  Asiatics  in  this  census,  numbering  43,811,  were 
included  with  the  whites. 


CUBAN  “GUARACHERO”  (MINSTREL). 


97 


The  Population  of  Cuba 

There  are  four  classes  of  Cuban  residents:  the  whites,  the 
coloured,  the  blacks,  and  the  Chinese. 

The  whites  comprise  native  Cubans,  Spaniards,  and  for- 
eigners; a certain  proportion  in  the  interior  being  Canary 
Islanders,  who  are  fitted  by  constitution,  habits,  and  tastes 
for  farm  work. 

The  native  Cuban  is  usually  bright,  and  is  gifted  particu- 
larly with  a remarkable  memory.  Children  are  very  preco- 
cious, and,  when  given  educational  advantages,  they  develop 
into  men  of  no  mean  ability.  In  addition  to  the  intelligent 
Cubans  residing  in  the  Island,  whose  reputation  in  different 
branches  of  learning  extends  abroad,  there  are  many  who 
have  attained  honourable  distinction  in  foreign  countries,  in 
competition  with  others  whose  advantages  were  conspicu- 
ously greater.  Dr.  Albarran,  the  well-known  Paris  physi- 
cian, and  Albertini,  the  violinist,  are  two  of  the  many 
Cubans  who  have  struggled  and  succeeded  in  Europe  by 
dint  of  their  individual  exertions  and  natural  talents.  In 
America,  a most  distinguished  professor  of  civil  engineer- 
ing, two  leading  civil  engineers  in  the  navy,  and  the  most 
eminent  authority  on  yellow  fever  in  the  country  are  native 
Cubans. 

Havana  is  the  only  city  in  Cuba  where  any  instruction  is 
obtainable,  and  it  is  noticeable  there  that  even  the  boys  of 
the  poorer  classes  are  anxious  to  follow  the  university  courses 
after  leaving  school. 

In  former  days  the  sons  of  wealthy  Cubans  led  the  typical 
life  of  gentlemen  of  leisure.  It  was  customary  among  them 
to  take  a profession,  if  that  could  be  accomplished  with  little 
or  no  exertion.  The  remainder  of  their  lives  was  usually 
spent  in  travelling  through  Europe.  The  present  genera- 
tion, however,  is  very  different.  It  is  composed  of  the  sons 
of  men  who  have  been  on  the  verge  of  bankruptcy  for  many 
years,  owing  to  their  thoughtless  extravagance.  They  have 
had  to  work  for  their  living  from  the  moment  they  have  left 
college,  and,  owing  to  the  increasing  poverty  of  the  Island, 
they  have  never  been  able  to  reconstruct  the  fortunes  ill 

7 


98 


Industrial  Cuba 


spent  by  their  forbears.  The  consequence  is  that  one  finds 
in  Cuba  the  younger  generation  to  be,  as  a class,  vastly 
superior  to  the  older  men  in  principles,  education,  and 
working  capacity. 

The  Cuban  is  more  analytical  than  inventive.  His  mind 
easily  grasps  subjects  on  which  he  has  received  very  little 
information;  but  he  is  decidedly  lacking  in  inventive  and 
constructive  power. 

The  Cuban  mother  is  very  affectionate,  but  her  maternal 
fondness  often  leads  her  into  indulgence  of  the  many  fail- 
ings of  childhood,  that,  in  later  life,  are  impossible  to  over- 
come. Prevarication  and  pilfering  are  no  uncommon  failings 
of  child-life  in  Cuba.  Despite  these  weaknesses,  children 
are  so  generous  that  their  parents  find  it  hard  to  prevent 
them  from  sharing  their  pocket-money  with  their  young 
friends.  Their  politeness  and  affability  are  striking. 

Cuban  hospitality  is  proverbial.  In  the  old  and  prosper- 
ous days  of  wealth  it  was  a common  thing  for  whole  families 
to  constitute  themselves  guests  at  the  country-house  of 
some  friendly  sugar-planter,  and  spend  Christmas  or  Holy 
Week  there  without  having  given  the  host  a word  of  warn- 
ing.  The  planter,  far  from  resenting  this  proceeding,  in- 
variably provided  entertainment  for  his  self-invited  guests 
in  the  shape  of  riding  parties,  picnics,  and  dancing,  consid- 
ering himself  highly  honoured  by  the  unforeseen  advent  of 
his  friends.  Like  most  Southerners,  the  Cubans  are  music- 
ally inclined.  They  dance  well,  and  prolonged  dancing 
parties  are  a favourite  form  of  amusement. 

1 here  was  an  old  Spanish  law,  in  force  up  to  some  years 
ago,  which  entitled  all  suitors  in  marriage,  whose  proposals 
had  been  opposed,  to  demand  that  the  lady’s  parents  state 
before  the  courts  the  reasons  of  their  objections.  There  are 
interesting  cases  recorded  of  proud  young  Cubans  who,  an- 
imated by  a high  sense  of  honour,  have  availed  themselves 
of  this  harsh  expedient,  in  preference  to  breaking  their 
vows  to  their  lady-loves.  The  opposition  in  most  cases  was 
due  to  the  fact  that  the  father  of  the  young  lady  was  Spanish 


99 


The  Population  of  Cuba 

and  the  suitor  Cuban.  There  is  an  instance  of  a man  pro- 
minent in  Havana  circles  who,  taking  advantage  of  this 
privilege,  married  a lady,  and  refused  to  accept  his  wife’s 
patrimony,  and  the  father-in-law  brought  suit  to  compel 
him  to  do  so.  It  was  only  after  many  years,  when  the 
allowance,  handed  periodically  to  the  court,  had  accumu- 
lated to  a considerable  sum,  that  a compromise  was  reached 
and  a reconciliation  took  place  between  the  father  and  the 
married  couple. 

Cubans  are  very  much  attached  to  family  life.  Deep 
affection  usually  exists  among  the  members  of  families,  and 
they  follow  each  other’s  affairs  with  great  interest,  even 
after  the  families  break  up. 

In  Cuban  houses,  the  first  morning  meal,  or  “ coffee  ” as 
it  is  called,  consists  of  coffee  and  rolls;  breakfast  then  fol- 
lows at  ten  or  eleven  o’clock,  consisting,  usually,  of  fried 
eggs,  hash,  fried  plantains,  sweet  potatoes,  meat,  and  caft 
au  lait.  Dinner  takes  place  at  six  or  seven  o’clock.  Oc- 
casionally fruit  is  served  at  two  or  three  o’clock.  Visits  are 
exchanged  in  the  evening;  but  ladies  follow  the  European 
custom  of  calling  in  the  afternoon.  Most  families  have  an 
“ at  home  ” one  evening  every  week  to  receive  their  friends. 
Married  ladies  may  go  out  shopping  alone  early  in  the  day. 
Among  intimate  friends  young  men  occasionally  call  on 
their  young  lady  friends  alone,  but  this  is  not  general, 
European  customs  prevailing. 

The  Cubans  are  very  fond  of  fencing,  and  it  is  remarkable 
that  the  good  fencers  scarcely  ever  have  duels,  or  seek  quar- 
rels. Duelling  is  practised  ad  libitum  in  all  Cuba  among  the 
upper  class.  Just  before  the  war  it  had  become  an  everyday 
occurrence;  in  fact,  in  one  week  as  many  as  five  duels  took 
place  between  men  well  known  in  Havana  society  and  clubs. 
As  a rule  the  seconds  manage  to  stop  the  fight  after  the 
first  wound,  even  catching  at  the  pretext  of  a flesh  wound 
on  the  forearm;  appealing  to  the  attending  surgeon  to  state 
whether  he  considers  the  wound  will  impair  the  free  use  of 
the  arm,  and  also  if  there  is  any  chance  of  nervous  twitches 


IOO 


Industrial  Cuba 


setting  in  from  the  pain.  It  is  unnecessary  to  add  that  the 
surgeon  invariably  finds  that  it  is  very  likely  that  all  of  these 
contingencies  may  occur— thereby  stopping  the  duel,  and 

honour  is  satisfied.” 

Baseball,  bull-fights,  and  cock-fights  were  the  most  popu- 
lar entertainments  until  recently;  cock-fights  have  waned 
now  in  popularity  considerably,  whilst  bull-fights  are  patron- 
ised by  the  Spanish  element  exclusively.  Baseball  continues 
to  hold  public  favour,  and  since  its  introduction  some  twenty 
years  ago  a taste  for  athletics  has  developed  among  the 
Cubans,  which  was  lacking  before.  Horse-racing  was  in 
vogue  while  there  was  capital  to  import  foreign  half-breeds, 
but  it  has  now  completely  died  out. 

The  foreign  population  of  the  Island  is  comparatively 
limited.  A large  number  of  German  merchants  are  engaged 
in  all  branches  of  the  tobacco  business,  which  they  practic- 
ally control.  It  will  be  found  that  the  knowledge  and 
experience  of  the  Germans  in  this  respect  have  given  them 
preferment  in  the  direction  and  management  of  the  largest 
syndicates  and  tobacco  firms.  A sprinkling  of  English, 
Americans,  and  French  are  to  be  found  throughout  the 
country. 

d he  coloured  inhabitants  of  Cuba  (mulattoes)  are  usually 
the  children  of  black  women  and  white  fathers — the  cases 
of  a white  woman  having  children  with  a black  father  being 
so  rare  as  to  be  nearly  unknown.  In  the  cities  the  mulat- 
toes are  servants, — not  hotel  waiters,  for  they  are  all  Span- 
iards, barbers,  and  occasionally  musicians.  Mulatto  women, 
though  usually  very  statuesque  in  appearance,  are  unprin- 
cipled and  insolent. 

The  Cuban  negro  inherits  from  his  forefathers,  the  Afri- 
can slaves,  a physique  and  a character  strengthened  and 
tempered  by  the  toil  of  generations.  During  the  sugar 
season  he  works  steadily,  from  four  in  the  morning  until 
sunset  every  day,  taking  only  two  hours  of  rest  with  his 
meals.  The  coloured  population  shows  no  inclination  to 
be  on  terms  of  equality  with  the  white,  and  though  under 


A NATIVE  HUT. 

FROM  A PHOTOGRAPH  BY  J.  F.  COONLEY,  NASSAU, 


IOI 


The  Population  of  Cuba 

General  Calleja’s  administration  negroes  and  mulattoes  were 
all  granted  the  handle  of  “ Don  ” (Mr.)  to  their  names,  and 
though  the  right  to  be  recognised  in  hotels,  theatres,  street- 
cars, etc.,  on  equal  terms  with  the  whites  has  been  extended 
to  them,  they  have  not  availed  themselves  of  the  privilege 
to  any  extent. 

The  savagery  of  the  African  negro  has,  unfortunately, 
shown  itself  among  his  descendants  in  the  Island.  Some 
years  ago  a secret  society  called  “ Nafiigos  ” was  introduced 
in  Havana.  These  Nafiigos  are  divided  into  bands,  whose 
object  is  to  fight  and  kill  each  other.  They  commit  all 
sorts  of  depredations  and  crimes.  It  has  often  been  shown 
that  the  police  have  been  in  their  pay.  Some  four  hundred 
were  banished  some  time  ago  to  Spanish  penitentiaries,  to- 
gether with  political  suspects,  with  whom  they  were  chained 
in  couples  and  marched  through  the  streets  of  Havana  prior 
to  embarking.  This  is  one  of  the  many  acts  of  refined 
cruelty  that  the  Spaniards  committed  during  the  late  insur- 
rection; most  respectable  and  honourable  men,  accused  of 
sympathising  in  the  cause  of  the  rebellion,  were  chained  arm 
to  arm  with  negroes  of  the  lowest  caste,  who,  besides  being 
convicted  for  crime,  defiled  the  very  atmosphere  around 
them  from  the  filth  of  their  attire.  The  Nafiigos  have  lately 
been  returned  to  Havana  and  set  free,  where  they  have  lost 
no  time  in  renewing  their  criminal  work. 

The  Chinese  element  was  brought  over  by  contract  for 
working  on  sugar  plantations.  They  were  virtually  slaves 
until  the  Chinese  Government  intervened  in  their  behalf. 

The  following  extract  from  the  comprehensive  report  of 
Mr.  Robert  T.  Hill,  of  the  United  States  Geological  Survey 
on  the  Island  of  Cuba,  may  be  considered  as  authority  on 
the  subject  of  population: 

“ THE  CUBANS 

“ Seventy-five  per  cent,  of  the  native  population  of  the  Island  is 
found  outside  of  the  Spanish  capital  of  Habana,  which,  being  the 
seat  of  an  unwelcome  foreign  despotism,  is  no  more  represent- 


102 


Industrial  Cuba 


ative  of  Cuban  life  or  character  than  is  the  English  city  of  Hong 
Kong  ot  the  rural  Chinese.  While  the  Habanese  have  had  the 
freest  communication  with  the  United  States  during  the  last  three 
years  of  the  revolution,  Americans  have  had  little  opportunity  to 
hear  from  the  true  white  Cuban  population.  The  Cubans  are 
mostly  found  in  the  provinces  and  provincial  cities,  especially  in 
Pinar  del  Rio  and  the  eastern  provinces  of  Santa  Clara,  Puerto 
Principe,  and  Santiago.  Although  of  Spanish  blood,  the  Cubans, 
through  adaptation  to  environment,  have  become  a different  class 
from  the  people  of  the  mother  country,  just  as  the  American  stock 
has  differentiated  from  the  English.  Under  the  influence  of  their 
surroundings,  they  have  developed  into  a gentle,  industrious,  and 
normally  peaceable  race,  not  to  be  judged  by  the  combativeness 
which  they  have  developed  under  a tyranny  such  as  has  never 
been  imposed  upon  any  other  people.  The  better  class  of  Ca- 
magueynos,  as  the  natives  are  fond  of  calling  themselves,  are 
certainly  the  finest,  the  most  valiant,  and  the  most  independent 
men  of  the  Island,  while  the  women  have  the  highest  type  of 
beauty.  It  is  their  boast  that  no  Cuban  woman  has  ever  become 
a prostitute,  and  crime  is  certainly  almost  unknown  among  them. 

“ While  these  people  may  not  possess  our  local  customs  and 
habits,  they  have  strong  traits  of  civilised  character,  including 
honesty,  family  attachment,  hospitality,  politeness  of  address, 
and  a respect  for  the  golden  rule.  While  numerically  inferior  to 
the  annual  migration  of  Poles,  Jews,  and  Italians  into  the  eastern 
United  States,  against  which  no  official  voice  is  raised,  they  are 
too  far  superior  to  these  people  to  justify  the  abuse  that  has  been 
heaped  upon  them  by  those  who  have  allowed  their  judgment  to 
be  prejudiced  by  fears  that  they  might  by  some  means  be  ab- 
sorbed into  our  future  population. 

“ Notwithstanding  the  disadvantages  under  which  the  Cubans 
have  laboured,  they  have  contributed  many  members  to  the  learned 
professions.  To  educate  their  sons  and  daughters  in  the  institu- 
tions of  the  United  States,  England,  and  France  has  always  been 
the  highest  ambition  of  the  creoles  of  Cuba  and  Porto  Rico.  The 
influence  of  their  educated  men  is  felt  in  many  countries,  the 
most  distinguished  professor  of  civil  engineering,  two  leading 
civil  engineers  of  our  navy,  and  the  most  eminent  authority  on 
yellow  fever  in  our  country  belonging  to  this  class.  Thousands 


103 


The  Population  of  Cuba 

of  these  people,  driven  from  their  beloved  Island,  have  settled  in 
Paris,  London,  New  York,  Mexico,  and  the  West  Indies,  where 
they  hold  honourable  positions  in  society,  and  even  the  exiles  of 
the  lower  classes,  with  their  superior  agricultural  arts,  have  been 
eagerly  welcomed  in  countries  like  Jamaica,  Mexico,  and  Florida, 
which  hope  to  share  with  Cuba  the  benefits  of  its  tobacco  culture. 

“ THE  NEGROES 

“ In  addition  to  the  white  creole  population,  thirty-two  per 
cent,  are  black  or  coloured — using  the  latter  word  in  its  correct 
signification,  of  a mixture  of  the  black  and  white.  This  black 
population  of  Cuba  has  been  as  little  understood  in  this  country 
as  has  been  the  creole,  especially  by  those  who  have  alleged  that 
in  case  Cuba  should  gain  her  freedom  the  Island  would  become 
a second  Haiti.  The  black  and  coloured  people  of  the  Island 
as  a class  are  more  independent  and  manly  in  their  bearing  than 
their  brethren  of  the  United  States,  having  possessed  even  before 
slavery  was  abolished  on  the  Island  the  four  rights  of  free  mar- 
riage, of  seeking  a new  master  at  their  option,  of  purchasing 
their  freedom  by  labour,  and  of  acquiring  property.  While  the 
negro  shares  with  the  creole  the  few  local  rights  possessed  by  any 
of  the  inhabitants,  their  social  privileges  are  greater  than  here, 
although  a strong  caste  feeling  exists.  Miscegenation  has  also 
produced  many  mulattoes,  but  race  mixture  is  no  more  common 
than  in  this  country. 

“ The  coloured  people  of  Cuba  belong  to  several  distinct 
classes.  The  majority  of  them  are  descendants  of  slaves  im- 
ported during  the  present  century,  but  a large  number,  like  the 
negroes  of  Colombia  and  the  maroons  of  Jamaica,  come  from  a 
stock  which  accompanied  the  earliest  Spanish  settlers,  like  Este- 
van,  the  negro,  who,  with  the  two  white  companions  of  Cabeza 
de  Vaca,  first  crossed  the  United  States  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
to  California  in  1528-36.  The  amalgamation  of  this  class  in  the 
past  century  with  the  Spanish  stock  produced  a superior  class  of 
free  mulattoes  of  the  Antonio  Maceo  type,  unlike  any  people  in 
this  country  with  which  they  can  be  compared. 

“ The  current  expressions  of  fear  concerning  the  future  rela- 
tions of  this  race  in  Cuba  seem  inexplicable.  The  slaves  of  the 


104 


Industrial  Cuba 


South  were  never  subjected  to  a more  abject  servitude  than  have 
been  the  free-born  whites  of  Cuba,  for  they  at  least  were  pro- 
tected from  arbitrary  capital  punishment,  imprisonment,  and  de- 
portation without  form  of  trial,  such  as  that  to  which  all  Cubans 
are  still  subjected,  and  the  white  race  of  this  or  any  other  country 
has  furnished  few  more  exalted  examples  of  patriotism  than  the 
mulattoes  Toussaint  L’Ouverture  or  Antonio  Maceo. 

The  experiences  of  the  past  have  shown  that  there  is  no 
possibility  of  Cuba  becoming  Africanised  without  constant  re- 
newal by  immigration.  The  520,000  coloured  people,  one-half 
of  whom  are  mulattoes,  represent  the  diminished  survival  of  over 
1,000,000  African  slaves  that  have  been  imported.  The  Span- 
iards had  the  utmost  difficulty  in  acclimatising  and  establishing 
this  race  upon  the  Island.  While  Jamaica  and  other  West  India 
islands  are  a most  prolific  negro-breeding  ground,  the  race  could 
not  be  made  to  thrive  in  Cuba. 

“ Those  persons  who  undertake  to  say  what  the  social  condi- 
tions of  Cuba  would  be  under  independence  should  look  else- 
where than  to  Haiti  for  a comparison.  Even  were  the  population 
of  Cuba  black,  as  it  is  not,  the  island  of  Jamaica  would  afford  a 
much  better  contrast.  1 his  island,  only  about  one-tenth  the  size 
of  Cuba,  is  composed  of  mountainous  lands  like  the  least  fertile 
portion  of  Cuba;  has  a population  wherein  the  blacks  outnumber 
the  whites  forty-four  to  one;  yet,  under  the  beneficent  influence 
of  the  English  colonial  system,  its  civilisation  is  one  of  which  any 
land  might  be  proud,  possessing  highways,  sanitation,  and  other 
public  improvements  even  superior  to  those  of  our  own  country, 
and  such  as  have  never  been  permitted  by  Spain  in  Cuba.  Even 
though  Cuba  should  become  a second  Haiti,  which  it  could  not, 
there  is  some  satisfaction  in  knowing,  in  the  light  of  historic 
events,  that  Haiti  free,  although  still  grovelling  in  the  savagery 
which  it  inherited,  is  better  off  than  it  would  have  been  had 
Napoleon  succeeded  in  forcing  its  people  back  into  slavery,  as  he 
endeavoured  to  do. 

'‘Another  fact  which  will  stand  against  the  Africanising  of 
Cuba  is  that  it  is  highly  probable  that  nearly  one-half  of  these 
five  hundred  thousand  coloured  people  have  been  destroyed 
during  the  present  insurrection.  A large  number  of  them  had 
but  recently  been  released  from  the  bonds  of  slavery,  and  were 


The  Population  of  Cuba  105 

naturally  the  poorer  class  of  the  Island,  upon  which  the  hardships 
have  mostly  fallen,  being  generally  the  field  hands  in  the  sugar 
districts  of  Habana,  Matanzas,  and  Santa  Clara,  where  the  death- 
rate  of  the  terrible  Weyler  reconcentramiento  has  been  greatest. 
Three  hundred  thousand  of  the  five  hundred  thousand  blacks 
belonged  to  these  provinces,  and  of  this  number  fully  one-half 
have  been  starved  to  death.  The  population  of  Cuba  has  under- 
gone great  modification  since  the  collection  of  the  statistics  given. 
What  changes  the  deplorable  conflict  has  wrought  can  only  be 
surmised.  Beyond  doubt,  however,  the  population  has  at  least 
been  reduced  to  a million  inhabitants  by  emigration  of  non- 
combatants,  destruction  in  battle,  official  deportation  of  suspects 
and  political  prisoners,  and  by  the  reconcentration. 

“ The  rural  population  of  the  four  western  provinces  of  Pinar 
del  Rio,  Habana,  Matanzas,  and  Santa  Clara  has  been  totally 
obliterated.  Estimates  of  this  extermination  are  all  more  or  less 
conjectural,  but  the  Bishop  of  Habana  is  authority  for  the  state- 
ment that  more  than  four  hundred  thousand  people  have  been 
buried  in  the  consecrated  cemetery.” 

Mr.  Charles  M.  Pepper,  in  one  of  his  newspaper  letters, 
speaking  of  the  negroes  in  Cuba,  cites  instances  of  their 
industry  and  thrift,  and  says: 

” These  notes  are  perhaps  not  conclusive,  yet  they  have  esta- 
blished in  my  own  mind  that  the  negro  in  Cuba  is  not  an  idler  or 
a clog  on  industrial  progress.  He  will  do  his  part  in  rebuilding 
the  industries  of  the  Island,  and  no  capitalist  need  fear  to  engage 
in  enterprises  because  of  an  indefinite  fear  regarding  negro 
labour.  In  the  country,  for  a time,  the  black  labourers  may  be 
in  the  majority.  That  is  one  of  the  results  of  the  reconcentration. 
The  blacks  stood  it  better  than  the  whites,  and  relatively  a larger 
number  of  them  are  left  for  the  work  in  the  fields.  When  the 
present  conditions  are  improved  the  question  will  arise  over  the 
immigration  of  labour.  No  need  for  discussing  it  has  yet  arisen. 
The  leading  blacks  are  opposed  to  the  wholesale  negro  immigra- 
tion to  Cuba,  and  the  mass  of  their  people  apparently  agree  with 
them. 

“ On  its  political  side  the  black  population  of  Cuba  has  a 


io6 


Industrial  Cuba 


definite  status.  Social  equality  does  not  exist,  but  social  tolera- 
tion prevails.  There  is  no  colour  line.  Visitors  to  the  Island 
invariably  remark  this  fact.  In  places  in  the  interior  I have  seen 
the  coloured  serving-woman  occupying  a box  at  the  theatre  with 
the  family,  and  no  one  seemed  to  be  the  worse  for  it.  The 
custom  is  not  general,  yet  the  toleration  of  the  white  and  black 
races  is  strong  enough  for  an  incident  of  this  kind  to  pass  with- 
out notice.  I have  heard  Americans  say  it  won’t  do  at  all  after 
the  Island  is  Americanised.  One  ambitious  young  fellow  from 
a Southern  State  said  to  me  that  he  was  going  back  because  the 
coloured  race  occupied  too  prominent  a place  in  Cuba.  He  did 
not  speak  with  bitterness  or  intolerance.  He  had  been  brought 
up  under  different  conditions  and  felt  that  he  would  not  be  in 
harmony  with  such  surroundings.  Those  who  feel  as  he  does 
had  better  stay  away. 

“ The  part  taken  in  the  insurrection  by  the  blacks  has  un- 
questionably strengthened  their  future  influence.  In  order  to 
depreciate  the  white  Cubans  the  Spaniards  were  in  the  habit  of 
giving  all  the  credit  for  the  warfare  of  the  bush  to  the  black  in- 
surgents. Some  Americans  have  thereby  been  led  into  error. 
When  the  insurrection  began  the  population  of  the  Island  was 
about  two-thirds  white  and  one-third  black.  That  proportion  was 
maintained  among  the  insurgent  troops.  In  some  of  the  regiments 
more  than  one-half  were  black,  but  in  others  they  did  not  amount 
to  twenty  per  cent.  In  the  beginning  Maceo  drew  a large  follow- 
ing in  the  eastern  provinces,  and  this  was  almost  entirely  of 
blacks. 

“ When  the  insurrection  spread  over  the  entire  Island  the  dis- 
proportion between  the  two  races  was  removed.  Many  of  the 
officers  among  the  insurgents  to-day  are  blacks.  They  have  few 
officers  of  the  higher  rank,  because  most  of  these  were  killed. 
Of  all  the  insurgent  generals  who  are  seen  in  Havana — and  there 
is  a legion  of  them — the  one  who  attracts  the  most  attention 
from  Americans  is  General  Ducasse.  He  is  a mulatto,  and  was 
educated,  I think,  at  the  French  military  school  of  St.  Cyr.  A 
brother,  more  famous  than  he,  was  killed  during  the  last  year  of 
the  insurrection  in  Pinar  del  Rio  Province.  This  General  Du- 
casse is  of  polished  manners  and  undeniable  force  of  character. 
A few  weeks  ago  I read  an  address  of  his  to  the  black  insurgents, 


The  Population  of  Cuba  107 

in  which  he  counselled  them  with  moderation,  and  impressed  on 
them  the  duty  of  preparing  for  their  new  responsibilities. 

“ These  coloured  Cubans  have  at  no  time  been  clamorous  for 
recognition.  They  seem  disposed  to  ask  less  than  is  due  them. 
At  least  they  are  not  forward  in  their  demands.  Back  of  all  this 
is  a consciousness  of  their  own  strength.  In  the  States  a jovial 
piece  of  advice  used  to  be  given  the  negroes — ‘ Don’t  hit  the 
white  man,  but  if  you  do  hit  him,  hit  hard.’  Such  advice  would 
be  unnecessary  in  Cuba.  It  is  not  probable  that  a temporary  in- 
flux of  Americans  with  inherited  race  prejudices  will  ever  succeed 
in  creating  a colour  line  in  political  affairs.  If  that  should  hap- 
pen the  black  Cuban  would  not  need  to  be  advised  about  hitting 
the  white  man  hard.  He  would  hit  both  hard  and  quick,  and  it 
would  be  a long  time  before  Anglo-Saxon  civilisation  recovered 
from  the  blow  and  proved  its  superiority.  Fortunately,  this  is 
never  likely  to  happen.  The  black  man  will  share  the  future  of 
Cuba  with  the  white  man. 

“ The  race  has  far  more  than  its  proportion  of  criminals. 
Some  tendencies  toward  retrogression  have  to  be  watched.  But 
in  the  midst  of  many  discouraging  circumstances  the  unpreju- 
diced student  must  recognise  the  great  advance  that  has  been 
made.  When  Cuba  has  a system  of  common  schools  the  advance 
will  be  greater.  What  is  significant  in  the  present  is  that  the 
black  man  has  been  doing  very  well.  He  will  continue  to  do 
well,  and  even  better,  if  too  many  people  do  not  stay  up  nights 
worrying  other  people  with  their  fears  of  the  future.” 


CHAPTER  VIII 

SANITARY  WORK  IN  CUBA 

UNDERLYING  the  prosperity  and  happiness  of  the 
people  of  any  country  is  health,  for  without  it  there 
can  be  no  strength,  no  energy,  no  success,  even  if  all  other 
conditions  be  favourable.  This  is  true  of  every  section  of  the 
world,  and  is  notably  true  of  Cuba,  which  with  almost  every 
advantage  that  nature  could  bestow  has  ever  been  feared 
for  its  malarious  diseases,  the  fatal  typhus,  and  the  dreaded 
yellow  jack,  which  acknowledges  no  master  save  the 
frost.  For  years  the  world  has  quarantined  against  Havana, 
and  other  cities  have  drawn  away  from  this  sister  in  the 
tropics  as  from  one  plague-stricken.  Yet  this  condition  is 
not  of  nature  s making,  but  of  man’s,  and  by  man  shall  it 
be  changed  into  something  better.  Spain  in  herself  was  a 
tyrant  contagion  and  everything  she  touched  became  dis- 
eased and  rotten  to  its  vitals.  And  this  terrible  condition 
was  not  only  physical,  but  moral,  for  moral  uncleanness  is 
sure  always  to  follow  physical  uncleanness.  This  truth 
constitutes  a corollary  out  of  which  has  grown  the  maxim, 
Cleanliness  is  next  to  Godliness.” 

The  first  consideration,  then,  with  the  American  authori- 
ties who  have  undertaken  to  clean  Spain’s  Augean  Stables 
in  Cuba  is  sanitation;  and  already  the  best  thought  and 
knowledge  and  experience  we  have  are  being  brought  to 
bear  upon  the  stupendous  task  before  us. 

As  has  been  stated,  Cuba  is  not  naturally  unhealthful 
for  a hot,  wet  country;  and  among  the  mountains  in  its 
interior  and  in  many  places  along  the  coasts,  removed 

108 


STREET  VIEW,  SANTIAGO  DE  CUBA. 

FROM  A PHOTOGRAPH  BY  J.  F.  COONLEY,  NASSAU, 


Sanitary  Work  in  Cuba  109 

from  the  filthiness  of  aggregated  population,  the  average 
mortality  is  not  higher  than  it  is  in  lands  of  better  repute 
for  healthfulness,  and  the  general  health  is  quite  as  good. 
As  might  be  expected,  there  is  not  that  strength  and  robust- 
ness of  physique  characterising  the  people  of  the  higher 
latitudes,  nor  is  the  climate  conducive  to  the  pink-and-white 
health  of  northerners ; but  though  the  people  are  less  rugged 
of  constitution  and  frame  and  lungs,  and  lack  the  outward 
signs  of  northern  health,  they  are  by  no  means  constant 
subjects  for  physicians’  care  and  they  are  anything  but 
chronic  candidates  for  the  cemetery.  Even  in  the  nasty 
cities  they  are  not  all  so,  for  there  are  many  who  are  able 
to  have  their  own  houses  well  located,  and  to  adopt  modern 
methods  of  sanitation  for  their  own  private  use.  But  the 
public  health  is  not  considered  of  importance,  and  there  is 
not  a city  in  Cuba  which  is  not  wofully  lacking  in  good 
water,  good  drainage,  and  good  health.  One  or  two  towns, 
which  in  America  would  have  a contagion  flag  run  up  over 
them,  are  so  much  cleaner  than  the  average  that  in  every 
description  of  them  by  any  writer  appears  the  statement  that 
they  are  said  to  be  the  cleanest  towns  in  Cuba.  It  may  be 
said  in  this  connection  that  the  towns  are  not  large. 

Beginning  with  Havana,  the  capital  of  the  country  and  the 
largest  city  in  it,  the  stories  of  its  great  filthiness  can  scarcely 
be  believed  by  those  who  have  seen  the  place  upon  the  sur- 
face and  moved  about  in  beautiful  parks,  in  brilliant  cafes, 
on  the  lovely  drives,  and  elsewhere,  among  pleasure-loving 
people,  all  clothed  in  their  clean  white  suits  and  smoking 
their  dainty  cigarettes.  Yet  Havana  is  viler  than  words 
can  express;  and  the  vileness  has  slopped  over  until  her 
harbour  is  a veritable  cesspool,  whose  waters  are  deadly, 
and  whose  bottom  is  so  covered  with  filth  that  ships  will 
not  drop  their  anchors  in  it,  because  it  is  necessary  to 
clean  and  disinfect  them  before  they  can  be  taken  on  board. 
Havana  has  been  in  Spain’s  possession  for  four  hundred 
years,  and  that  harbour  is  a typical  result  of  Spain’s  good 
government.  In  the  city  itself  the  poor  people  are  huddled 


I IO 


Industrial  Cuba 


in  ill-built  houses— there  are  only  about  eighteen  thousand 
houses  in  the  entire  place — more  densely  than  in  any  city 
of  the  world,  on  narrow  streets  without  sewerage,  upon  the 
surface  of  which  garbage  and  all  kinds  of  refuse  are  thrown. 
No  attention  is  paid  to  ventilation.  The  houses  are  built  so 
low  that  the  floors  rest  upon  the  soft,  damp— in  many  places 
swampy  ground ; the  material  is  a porous  conglomerate 
which  absorbs  moisture  as  a sponge  does.  Sinks  are  totally 
inadequate  or  absent.  Water  is  not  sufficiently  supplied, 
and  there  is  scarcely  any  effort  by  the  authorities  to  exercise 
that  care  and  provision  for  the  public  well-being  which  is 
characteristic  of  every  properly  governed  city  in  the  world. 
As  an  indication  of  what  might  be  expected  from  such  a 
condition  of  affairs  the  following  table,  prepared  for  Ameri- 
can officials  by  the  Havana  Department  of  Sanitation  show- 
ing the  number  of  deaths  for  the  first  eleven  months  of 
1898,  is  cited : 

January lo8l 

February Ij5i8 

March r ,500 

APril 1,411 

May 1,298 

June 1,129 

JuIy 1,381 

August 1,975 

September 2,390 

October 2,249 

November ! g28 

Total 17,760 

And  this  out  of  a population  of  about  200,000,  in  which 
there  were  only  a few,  if  any,  reconcentrados  to  starve  to 
death.  During  this  period  there  were  only  2,224  births, 
showing  a net  loss  of  14,336,  or  about  seven  per  cent,  of  the 
population ; a condition  of  health  which  would  produce  a 
panic  in  a northern  city  as  soon  as  the  figures  were  known. 
Speaking  of  these  figures,  Captain  Davis,  who  has  been  in- 
specting hospitals,  prisons,  and  public  buildings  under  Gen- 
eral Greene,  says : 


1 1 1 


Sanitary  Work  in  Cuba 

“ Vienna,  with  its  million  and  a half  of  population,  has  been 
called  the  pest-hole  of  Europe,  because  of  its  death-rate  of  more 
than  twenty-five  to  the  thousand;  yet  Havana,  with  less  than  one- 
sixth  of  its  population,  has  more  deaths  in  one  month  than 
Vienna  in  twelve.  The  deaths  this  year  in  Havana  will  outnum- 
ber those  in  Chicago  by  probably  five  thousand,  and  will  exceed 
the  totals  of  Boston,  St.  Louis,  Baltimore,  and  San  Francisco 
combined.” 

New  York  City  at  this  rate  would  have  a death-roll  of 
270,000  a year  and  London  450,000,  and  the  deaths  in  the 
United  States,  which  are  now  about  1,000,000  a year,  would 
be  about  7,000,000.  Of  course  the  figures  for  1898  are 
greatly  in  excess  of  other  years,  owing  to  the  war  and  the 
generally  disturbed  condition  of  affairs,  but  even  in  the 
healthiest  years  the  death-rate  was  two  or  three  times 
greater  than  the  average  of  other  cities. 

The  leading  diseases  are  consumption,  a common  disease 
in  hot,  wet  countries  ; diarrhoea,  dysentery,  cholera  infantum, 
and  fevers,  worst  of  which  is  the  yellow  fever,  which  is  pre- 
sent in  Havana  every  month  of  the  year,  although  much 
worse  at  certain  times  than  at  others.  It  is  said  that  portions 
of  Havana  are  permanently  infected  by  yellow-fever  germs, 
but  Surgeon-General  Sternberg,  Dr.  Wyman,  Supervising 
Surgeon-General  of  the  Marine  Hospital  Service,  and  other 
authorities  say  that  by  proper  sanitary  regulations  and  care- 
ful quarantining,  the  city  may  be  made  free  of  the  disease 
and  kept  so,  as  is  the  case  in  Jamaica,  where  the  English 
have  had  control  for  years.  The  work  of  sanitation  will  be 
difficult  and  expensive,  and  years  will  be  required  to  accom- 
plish it,  but  it  must  be  done  before  Havana’s  future  is 
assured.  Sewers  are  few  and  far  between,  and  those  which 
exist  are  filled  with  refuse  from  the  streets  and  are  never 
cleaned,  as  the  odours  that  rise  from  them  constantly  most 
disagreeably  testify.  They  empty  into  the  bay.  Most  of 
the  drainage  is  surface,  and  as  the  city  lies  so  low  that  a 
heavy  wind  across  the  waters  of  the  bay  will  inundate  many 
of  the  streets,  it  will  be  understood  that  the  drainage  is 


I I 2 


Industrial  Cuba 


s^ggish,  and  that  what  should  be  carried  off  by  water  is 
usually  left  to  be  rotted  and  dried  by  the  sun — except  in 
the  rainy  season,  wrhen  it  rots  without  drying.  Much  of 
the  lower  part  of  the  city  is  built  on  swamp-  and  “ made- 
land,  and  what  this  means  for  the  health  of  those  who  live 
upon  it  needs  no  elucidation. 

The  following  statement,  made  by  Josd  M.  Yzquierdo, 
civil  engineer,  of  Havana,  under  date  of  September  28,  1898, 
will  throw  some  light  upon  street-sweeping  contracts  in 
Havana,  show  why  the  work  cannot  be  properly  done,  and 
also  indicate  the  part  that  the  city  authorities  have  always 
taken  in  the  good  cause: 

“ I now  have  the  contract  for  cleaning  the  streets  and  have 
been  connected  with  the  city  government  a long  time.  The 
present  system  of  cleaning  the  streets  is  a combination  of  old  and 
new.  When  I took  up  the  work  about  five  years  ago,  I ascer- 
tained that  the  system  was  very  deficient,  so  I went  to  New  York 
and  studied  up  the  matter.  To  begin  with,  the  pavements  were 
very  bad.  The  automatic  street-sweepers  cannot  be  used  to  ad- 
vantage, though  I have  two  sweeping-machines.  At  night  time 
my  people  go  out  with  the  sweeping-machines  and  a sprinkler 
and  clean  the  streets,  and  from  there  the  dirt  is  taken  to  the 
railroad  cars  and  from  the  station  about  nine  miles  from  here, 
and  there  I do  some  business  with  it;  that  is,  I make  a kind  of 
fertilizer.  I employ  230  men.  \\  e have  no  furnace  to  burn  up 
the  garbage.  I am  now  going  to  make  a proposition  to  the  city 
council  to  clean  the  cities  for  the  same  price  and  use  crematories, 
doing  it  on  the  American  plan.  For  cleaning  the  city  I am  to  be 
paid  $2350.50  weekly,  but  I do  not  get  the  money;  they  owe  me 
$180,000.  A year  or  two  ago,  by  giving  ten  per  cent,  to  the 
city  mayors,  etc.,  I collected  $20,000  in  one  week.  Immediately 
after  I got  the  contract  the  aldermen  called  upon  me  and  directed 
my  attention  to  certain  articles  in  it,  so  that  I finally  had  to  take 
these  aldermen  into  partnership  in  order  to  collect  the  money. 

“ I have  also  had  the  slaughter-house  privilege.  I paid  the 
city  council  $800,000  per  year  for  the  privilege  of  collecting  the 
slaughter-house  taxes,  and  one  year  I collected  nearly  $880,000, 
out  of  which,  of  course,  I had  to  pay  my  men.  This  has  fallen 


WATERMAN  IN  THE  COUNTRY. 


Sanitary  Work  in  Cuba  113 

off  a great  deal.  To  slaughter  cattle,  you  have  to  pay  4^  cents 
per  kilo,  $1  per  head  for  the  corral,  $1.25  to  kill  and  dress  it, 
and  then  50  cents  to  take  it  to  the  market.  The  present  slaughter- 
house is  a new  one,  and  not  very  efficient  at  present,  but  it  could 
be  made  into  a good  one.  All  the  refuse  from  the  slaughter- 
house now  goes  into  the  bay.” 

What  is  true  of  Havana  is  true  in  lesser  degree  of  the 
other  cities  and  towns  of  the  Island,  the  degree  being  gov- 
erned chiefly  by  the  difference  in  size;  the  larger  the  town, 
the  nastier  it  is. 

Cienfuegos,  which,  by  the  way,  is  the  most  promising 
town  in  the  Island,  in  the  commercial  sense,  is  notoriously 
ill  policed,  and  is  a sprouting-ground  for  all  manner  of  dis- 
eases. A report  dated  November  21,  1898,  made  by  D.  E. 
Dudley,  Sanitary  Inspector,  U.S.M.H.S.,  notes  the  fact 
that  its  elevation  above  sea-level  is  only  about  eight  feet 
and  it  is  surrounded  by  a belt  of  lowlands  from  eight  to  ten 
miles  wide.  The  streets  are  seventy  feet  wide,  unclean,  and 
out  of  repair,  and  in  the  wet  season  are  fields  of  nasty  mud. 
There  are  three  sewers,  one  from  the  Hotel  Union,  and 
another  from  buildings  in  the  same  block,  and  the  third 
and  only  public  sewer  is  from  the  Civil  Hospital.  The  first 
two  of  these  sewers  empty  into  the  bay  at  the  steamer 
wharf,  about  two  feet  above  the  water-line,  and  when  the 
wind  is  in  the  right  direction  the  gases  and  vile  odours 
are  blown  back  into  the  buildings,  filling  them  with  stenches. 
The  Hotel  Union,  the  Charity  Hospital,  and  a few  private 
dwellings  have  modern  water-closets,  but  elsewhere  over 
the  city  the  houses  have  shallow  privy  sinks,  which  are 
emptied  at  night  and  the  contents  dumped  against  the 
cemetery  walls.  Around  the  cemetery  is  also  the  dumping- 
ground  for  garbage,  dead  animals,  and  all  the  refuse  of  the 
city,  the  disposal  of  which  is  not  under  any  especial  author- 
ity. This  dumping-ground  is  a mile  and  a half  from  the 
Hotel  Union.  Dr.  Dudley  says: 

” Here  in  this  garbage  reservation  can  be  seen  large  numbers 


Industrial  Cuba 


1 14 

of  buzzards,  feasting  on  dead  horses  or  dogs,  or  perched  on  the 
cemetery  walls,  waiting  for  fresh  consignments.  Extensive 
lagoons  and  lakes  of  fcecal  matter  taken  from  privy  vaults  lie 
spread  upon  the  ground.  A small  section  of  this  reservation 
faces  the  bay,  and  here  the  collector  of  the  garbage  has  his 
living-quarters,  in  an  old  tumble-down  hut. 

“ The  only  cemetery  is  situated  a mile  and  a half  from  the  heart 
of  the  city.  It  is  surrounded  by  a wall  twelve  feet  high,  which 
furnishes  vault  room.  The  cemetery  is  very  small  and  the  section 
reserved  for  paupers  is  more  than  overcrowded.  During  my 
visit  ten  graves  were  being  dug.  By  actual  measurement  I found 
these  graves  three  feet  in  depth.  Coffins  are  loaned  by  the 
municipalities  to  paupers,  and  the  bodies  alone  are  buried.  In 
these  pauper  graves  three  bodies  are  buried,  one  over  the  other; 
and  then,  in  less  than  one  year’s  time,  they  are  reopened  and 
made  ready  for  new  bodies.  Portions  of  skeletons  were  thrown 
out  of  each  of  the  ten  graves  I saw.  In  consideration  of  a dollar, 
a grave  was  opened  for  me,  and  I counted  four  skulls.  In  clos- 
ing up  the  graves,  these  bones  are  packed  around  the  new  bodies. 
As  a rule  the  topmost  corpse  is  so  near  the  surface  that  the  earth 
has  to  be  banked  up  a foot  in  order  completely  to  cover  it. 

IVater.  This  is  one  of  the  most  serious  problems  which  con- 
front the  municipal  authorities  of  this  city,  and  one  of  much 
concern  to  us,  if  American  troops  are  to  be  quartered  there. 
The  supply  is  absolutely  inadequate  to  the  demands  of  the  city. 
The  hotels  and  a few  residences  have  cement  cisterns  built  in  the 
ground  and  use  rain-water;  but  the  chief  supply  comes  from  a 
small  (and  said  to  be  badly  polluted)  stream,  the  Jicotea  River,  a 
small  branch  of  the  Cannau.  The  water  is  pumped  into  two 
aqueducts;  the  principal  one,  which  is  called  after  the  Jicotea 
River,  holds  four  hundred  thousand  litres;  a smaller  one,  the 
Bouffartique,  holds  three  hundred  thousand  litres.  Pipes  from 
these  two  aqueducts  run  through  a few  of  the  streets,  above 
ground,  alongside  the  curbing.  The  gates  are  open  only  two 
hours  daily.  The  hospitals  use  this  water,  after  boiling.  As 
a remedy  for  this  condition,  I am  told,  there  was  a project  to 
bring  water  from  a point  twenty  miles  distant,  from  the  falls  of 
the  Hanabanilla  River,  1200  feet  above  the  sea.  Absolute  free- 
dom from  pollution  was  claimed.  It  was  abandoned  on  account 


Sanitary  Work  in  Cuba  115 

of  the  war.  The  estimated  cost  for  this  work  was  $r, 000,000. 
The  Jicotea  aqueduct  is  simply  a large  open  cistern,  built  of  rock 
and  cement,  attached  to  a brick  building  in  which  the  Spanish 
quartermaster  has  his  stores.  There  are  about  two  hundred  wells 
in  the  city,  but  infected,  the  privy  sinks  being  within  a few  feet. 

“ Quarantine. — At  a point  nine  miles  from  the  city,  on  the 
western  shore,  I found,  in  my  opinion,  an  ideal  location  for  a 
quarantine  station.  The  place,  the  Concha,  owned  by  the  Mar- 
quis de  Apezteguia  as  a winter  resort,  can  be  purchased.  The 
palace,  built  on  a terrace  near  the  water’s  edge,  was  burned  by 
the  insurgent  forces.  A pier  thirty  to  fifty  feet  can  be  built  so 
that  steamers  can  have  eight  fathoms  of  water.  An  island  about 
one-half  a mile  distant  could  be  used,  and  a hospital  for  in- 
fectious and  contagious  diseases  built. 

“ In  concluding  this  report  I wish  to  call  your  attention  to  the 
probability  of  an  extensive  spread  of  smallpox  in  the  interior. 
At  a town  eight  hours’  ride  from  Habana  to  Colon,  I saw  beggars 
convalescent  from  smallpox.” 

During  the  first  ten  months  in  1898  the  total  number  of 
deaths  in  Cienfuegos  was  3626,  out  of  a population  which 
before  the  war  was  21,500;  adding  soldiers  and  reconcen- 
trados,  it  might  be  said  to  be  25,000,  and  at  these  figures 
a monthly  death-rate  of  362  is  something  fearful  to  contem- 
plate. Estimating  the  deaths  for  a year  at  4144,  we  have 
a rate  of  166  per  1000.  In  the  ten  years  ending  December 
31,  1889,  reported  by  Dr.  Luis  Perna,  over  fifty  per  cent,  of 
the  deaths  were  from  infectious  and  contagious  diseases  due 
almost  entirely  to  bad  or  no  sanitation.  During  the  same 
year  the  births  exceeded  the  deaths  by  1982,  a much  better 
showing  than  in  Havana,  the  difference  there  being  12,433 
against  the  population  in  four  years,  and  in  Matanzas,  2397 
lost  in  eight  years. 

Of  the  effect  of  proper  sanitary  regulations  and  personal 
attention  on  tuberculosis,  Dr.  Perna  says: 

“ There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  ravages  of  tuberculosis  could 
be  materially  arrested  by  compliance  with  the  laws  of  hygiene. 


Industrial  Cuba 


1 16 

Infractions  of  civil  law  may  or  may  not  be  punished,  but  in- 
fractions of  the  laws  of  hygiene  are  inevitably  paid  for  sooner  or 
later.  In  combating  tuberculosis  we  must  consider  the  air  we 
breathe,  the  food  we  eat,  the  roof  that  covers  us,  and  the  clothes 
we  wear.  The  disease  should  be  recognised  as  contagious. 
Phthisical  patients  should  be  kept  in  well- ventilated  apartments; 
sputa  should  be  disinfected,  and  clothing  and  utensils  used  by 
such  patients  should  be  disinfected.” 

Matanzas  is  situated  on  high  ground,  with  the  rivers  San 
Juan  and  Yumuri  running  through  it,  and  the  natural  facili- 
ties for  drainage  are  excellent ; but  only  two  streets  have 
sewers,  and  these  drains  have  few  or  no  connections  with 
buildings.  The  water  supply  is  of  excellent  quality,  from 
springs  seven  miles  away;  but  only  two  thousand  of  the 
five  thousand  houses  take  it,  and  the  majority  of  the  people 
prefer  to  buy  water  from  street  vendors,  who  are  quite  as 
likely  to  get  it  from  fever-infected  wells  as  elsewhere. 
There  are  public  fountains,  but  those  who  need  Cuban 
water  most  are  too  lazy  to  carry  it  home.  Privies  and  sinks 
are  more  numerous  than  modern  closets,  and  are  handled 
as  elsewhere,  with  the  usual  results.  The  streets  are  narrow 
(thirty  feet  wide),  dirty,  and  unpaved;  in  the  wet  season 
they7  are  vile.  The  houses  are  built  of  porous  stone,  which 
absorbs  the  dampness;  the  floors,  laid  on  the  ground,  are 
overflowed  by  the  rains,  and  their  smell  at  all  times  is 
difficult  to  describe  and  dangerous  to  health.  The  deaths 
per  year  for  1895  were  1465,  with  a nominal  population  of 
50,000,  although  it  was  cut  to  35,000  by  the  insurrection; 
in  1896,  2399;  in  1897,  6795;  and  in  1898,  to  September, 
3901 — which  fearful  figures  may  be  accounted  for  by  the  fact 
that  Matanzas  was  the  centre  for  reconcentrados,  and  they 
died  like  sheep — eighty  per  cent,  of  them  from  starvation. 
The  only  disinfection  that  could  reach  this  condition  was 
applied  to  Spain  by  the  United  States,  and  there  will  never 
be  any  more  epidemics  of  starvation  in  Cuba,  or  any  more 
reconcentrados,  for  that  matter.  But  even  without  her 
reconcentrado  population,  Matanzas  is  no  health  resort, 


MARIANAO  WATER  VENDOR. 


Sanitary  Work  in  Cuba  117 

and  the  cleansing  hand  must  be  applied  to  her  early  and 
vigorously. 

Cardenas,  a city  of  twenty  thousand  people,  more  or  less, 
is  set  down  in  the  midst  of  a swamp,  rarely  more  than  ten 
feet  above  sea-level,  and  oftener  only  three  or  four.  Its 
narrow  streets  are  lacking  in  pavements  or  sewers.  Lying 
contiguous  to  the  south-east  side  of  the  city  are  more  than 
thirty  thousand  acres  of  swamp,  a fecund  breeding-ground 
for  typhus-  and  yellow-fever  germs.  Twenty  years  ago  a 
commission  was  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  construction 
of  a canal  to  drain  this  swamp  into  the  Anton  River,  but  at 
this  present  date  no  canal  is  in  sight,  and  the  fever  germs 
go  merrily  on  in  their  work  of  supplying  the  cemeteries 
with  subjects.  The  water  supply  is  good,  but  many  of  the 
people  prefer  to  buy  dangerous  well-water  from  street  vend- 
ors, because  of  its  cheapness.  At  Cape  Hicacos,  near  Car- 
denas, are  extensive  salt-pits,  the  chlorides  of  which  are 
supposed  to  act  as  a disinfectant,  and  that  immediate  locality 
is  said  to  be  the  most  healthful  along  the  coast. 

Puerto  Principe,  a town  of  forty  thousand  inhabitants,  the 
largest  of  the  inland  cities,  is  situated  on  high  ground,  well 
watered  and  well  drained,  and  though  antiquated  and  utterly 
lacking  in  modern  conveniences  or  sanitary  regulations,  as 
they  are  known  among  northern  people,  is  so  much  more 
healthful  than  other  Cuban  towns  as  to  warrant  a milder 
animadversion  than  in  the  case  of  others.  Yellow  fever  is 
only  known  sporadically,  if  at  all,  and  contagion  and  infec- 
tion are  so  much  less  flourishing  than  in  the  coast  towns 
that  Puerto  Principe  seems  positively  healthful  in  compari- 
son, albeit  in  an  American  community  the  condition  of  the 
city  would  warrant  the  impeachment  of  any  board  of  health 
having  control  of  its  sanitation. 

Santiago  de  Cuba,  with  a population  of,  say  forty  thousand, 
is  next  to  Havana  in  importance  among  the  cities  of  Cuba, 
and  has  been  accumulating  filth  since  1514,  when  the  first 
Spaniards  settled  there.  J ust  what  nearly  four  hundred  years 
of  Spanish  sanitation  means  is  better  imagined  than  experi- 


I IS 


Industrial  Cuba 


enced.  Moreover,  its  location  is  down  among  hills  which 
shut  of?  the  breeze,  and  in  summer  the  city  becomes  intoler- 
ably hot  and  dangerous  to  health.  It  is  situated  on  a hillside, 
with  a landlocked  bay  before  it,  removed  from  all  sea  or  coast 
currents,  and  for  384  years  the  drainage  of  the  town — not  by 
sewers,  for  they  do  not  exist — has  gone  into  this  bay,  until  its 
bottom  and  waters  are  vile  beyond  expression.  In  the  city  it- 
self filth  everywhere  prevails — or  did  prevail  until  the  U nited 
States  authorities  took  charge,  since  which  time  Governor 
Wood  and  his  assistants  have  done  an  amount  of  cleaning 
up  that  is  as  wholesome  as  it  is  difficult  to  accomplish. 
This  work  has  been  so  vigorously  prosecuted  and  the  results 
so  beneficial  that  a chapter  has  been  devoted  to  the  subject. 
It  is  said  that  in  time  man  may  become  accustomed  to  any 
condition  of  life,  and  the  dozen  generations  of  Santiagoans 
seem  to  have  got  used  to  their  town,  for  its  ordinary  death- 
rate  was  but  29.8  per  1000,  with  an  increase  to  33  to  35 
when  yellow  fever  or  smallpox  became  more  violent  than 
usual.  In  1895  the  death-rate  went  up  to  51.2  per  1000, 
and  in  1896  to  82.77.  Four  thousand  people  died  in  that 
year,  and  this  is  the  last  record  known.  This  large  increase 
was  due  to  the  presence  of  unacclimated  troops  from  Spain, 
and  though  it  may  explain  the  high  death-rate,  it  scarcely 
can  excuse  a sanitary  condition  which  is  so  fatal  to  Spanish 
soldiers,  who  have  had  experience  with  Spanish  sanitary 
regulations  in  their  own  country  until  they  ought  to  be 
almost  used  to  it.  In  1896  there  were  372  deaths  from 
yellow  fever  and  509  from  smallpox.  Santiago  has  one 
inventive  sanitarian  in  the  person  of  Dr.  Garcia,  who,  five 
years  ago,  devised  a “ cold  box”  for  the  case  of  yellow- 
fever  patients.  As  is  known,  the  frost  will  kill  the  germs 
of  yellow  fever;  and  as  natural  frost  is  impossible  in  Cuba 
Dr.  Garcia  hit  upon  the  idea  of  producing  artificial  cold. 
His  device  is  simple  enough.  The  main  feature  is  a small 
house,  say  five  feet  by  seven,  and  six  feet  high,  which  is 
practically  a refrigerator,  with  double  roof  and  walls  for 
packing  the  ice.  A window  is  put  in  for  light,  and  the 


Sanitary  Work  in  Cuba  119 

patient  is  laid  in  his  bed  in  a temperature  of  about  freezing. 
He  has  no  attendants  inside,  except  when  needed,  and  he 
is  watched  through  the  window.  This  method  usually  kills 
or  cures  the  patient  in  from  twelve  to  thirty-six  hours.  At 
first  the  box  was  not  successful,  for  condensation  practically 
drowned  the  patient  out;  but  that  was  remedied  by  drain- 
ing the  water  off.  There  is  a great  difference  of  opinion  in 
relation  to  the  efficacy  of  this  treatment ; some  physicians 
entirely  disapproving  it,  while  others  as  strongly  recom- 
mend it. 

What  may  be  done  for  the  proper  sanitary  regulation  of 
Santiago  is  a serious  problem,  as,  owing  to  the  distance  from 
the  sea  and  the  landlocked  character  of  the  bay,  the  sewage, 
which  may  be  easily  drained  down  the  sloping  streets  of 
the  town,  is  bound  to  remain  near  the  shore.  For  the 
present,  Major  Barbour,  Superintendent  of  the  Santiago 
Street  Department,  disposes  of  the  sewage  by  sprinkling  it 
with  petroleum  and  burning  it. 

Manzanillo,  population  nine  thousand,  with  a large  and 
beautiful  military  plaza,  has  filthy  streets  and  no  public 
improvements  of  any  kind  looking  to  the  health  or  comfort 
of  the  people;  and  the  people  seem  to  like  it.  The  streets 
are  unpaved,  and  Manzanillo  mud  is  an  alliterative  term 
which  has  become  a household  word  for  the  nastiest  mud  on 
the  Island.  The  town  is  twenty  feet  above  the  bay,  with 
hills  to  the  rear,  and  near  it  are  great  swamps  filled  with 
mosquitoes  and  malaria,  which  spread  themselves  abroad  in 
every  direction. 

Guantanamo,  population  nine  thousand,  seven  miles  in- 
land, one  hundred  and  fifteen  feet  above  the  bay  of  the 
same  name,  is  situated  on  the  river  Guaso,  and  might  be 
easily  and  thoroughly  drained;  but  no  efforts  have  been 
made  in  that  direction,  and  malaria  and  fevers  prevail. 
With  any  kind  of  decent  care,  the  city  could  be  made  as 
healthful  as  any  in  the  same  latitude. 

Pinar  del  Rio,  the  capital  of  its  province,  with  5500  popu- 
lation, is  situated  25  miles  from  the  sea,  160  feet  above  it, 


I 20 


Industrial  Cuba 


and  on  a hill  70  feet  high.  It  is  in  the  midst  of  the  famous 
Vuelta  Abajo  tobacco  district,  and  it  might  be  made  a clean 
town ; but  its  streets  are  narrow  and  filthy,  its  people  are  a 
mixture  of  French  and  African,  and  it  is  a reflection  on  the 
great  American  Republic,  in  that  it  was  founded  in  1776. 

Batabano,  the  southern  seaport  of  Havana,  thirty  miles 
away,  in  its  narrow,  dirty  streets  presents  a condition  of 
neglect  and  nastiness  suggesting  that  it  is  also  a receptacle 
for  the  surplus  refuse  of  the  capital. 

Guanabacoa,  a high  and  beautifully  located  city  of  twenty- 
five  thousand  people,  just  outside  of  Havana,  several  degrees 
cooler  than  the  capital  city,  in  the  midst  of  pleasant  breezes 
and  cool  groves,  has  narrow,  filthy  streets,  no  pavements,  no 
public  improvements,  small  houses  with  no  modern  con- 
veniences, huddled  together,  and  is  a dozen  times  worse 
than  if  nature  had  not  done  so  much  for  it. 

Guines  and  Marianao  are  so  much  cleaner  and  sweeter 
than  any  other  towns  as  to  make  one  wonder  why  they  are 
the  exception  instead  of  the  rule. 

Possibly  it  is  hardly  fair  to  call  attention  to  or  animadvert 
upon  the  sanitary  regulations  and  conditions  of  Santa  Clara, 
an  inland  city  and  capital  of  Santa  Clara  Province,  seeing 
that  in  ten  and  a half  months  of  1897  there  were  over  one 
hundred  thousand  deaths  in  the  province,  of  which  nearly 
one  third  occurred  in  Santa  Clara  district.  These  were 
chiefly  reconcentrados,  and  show  that  there  are  somethings 
Spanish  even  worse  than  Spanish  sanitation.  The  town 
has  a population  of  twenty  thousand,  is  situated  in  a health- 
ful locality,  and  while  little  has  been  done  toward  public 
health,  there  is  no  yellow  fever. 

As  with  the  cities  and  towns  above  mentioned,  with  the 
two  exceptions  named,  so  of  all  Cuban  aggregations  of 
population.  Everywhere  there  is  ignorance,  carelessness, 
filth,  disease,  and  death,  and  only  education,  care,  and 
time  can  remedy  the  evil.  It  may  not,  cannot  be  that  Cuba 
will  ever  enjoy  the  robuster  health  of  the  north,  but  she  can 
be  clean,  and  to  that  end  must  every  ability  of  knowledge, 


Sanitary  Work  in  Cuba 


I 2 I 


labour,  and  means  be  directed,  not  only  by  those  who  are 
in  authority,  but  by  those  whose  direct  welfare  is  at  stake. 

Outside  of  the  cities,  conditions  prevail  which  will  be 
more  difficult,  if  not  in  many  cases  impossible,  to  remedy. 
Much  of  the  Island  along  the  coasts  is  swampy;  there 
malaria  and  fevers  breed,  and  these  sections,  if  not  capable 
of  drainage,  must  be  deserted  by  man,  and  left  to  the  alli- 
gators, toads,  and  lizards.  Many  of  the  swamps  may  be 
drained  and  the  land  converted  into  fields  yielding  rich 
harvests;  these  should  be  given  the  proper  attention.  In 
many  places  the  tropical  forests  are  of  such  dense  and 
tangled  growth  that  no  sunlight  ever  penetrates  them,  and 
here,  after  nightfall,  deadly  miasms  arise,  full  of  poison 
and  disease.  Vast  areas  of  such  forests  are  filled  with  valu- 
able timber,  and  when  these  woods  are  cleared  and  con- 
verted into  money,  and  the  sunlight  can  get  in  and  exercise 
its  saving  grace  upon  the  land,  a wonderful  improvement 
will  follow. 

Back  from  the  coasts,  particularly  in  the  eastern  part  of 
the  Island,  the  land  is  high  and  well  drained,  with  mount- 
ains in  some  portions  rising  from  five  thousand  to  eight 
thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  While  the  heat 
and  humidity  incidental  to  the  latitude  prevail  all  over  the 
Island,  they  are  much  less  in  the  uplands  than  along  the 
coast,  and  the  climate  for  half  the  year  is  very  agreeable 
and  the  air  has  a brilliant  clearness  that  has  become  famous. 
Over  all  these  lands  there  should  be  in  the  future  a popula- 
tion which  should  develop  into  a contradiction  of  the  tradi- 
tion that  the  people  of  the  tropics  live  because  they  are  too 
lazy  to  die. 


CHAPTER  IX 


CITIES  AND  TOWNS  OF  CUBA 


HE  political  divisions  of  Cuba,  known  as  provinces,  are 


1 six  in  number,  and  are  named  as  follows,  beginning  at 
the  west:  Pinar  del  Rio,  Havana,  Matanzas,  Santa  Clara, 
Puerto  Principe,  and  Santiago  de  Cuba;  the  capital  city  of 
each  bearing  the  same  name  as  its  province. 

Of  the  provinces  it  may  be  said  that  Pinar  del  Rio,  with 
an  area  of  8486  square  miles,  has  a population  of  225,891 
(167, 160  white  and  58,731  black),  and  is  the  centre  of  the 
tobacco  industry,  the  famous  Vuelta  Abajo  district  lying 
within  its  limits;  sugar,  coffee,  rice,  corn,  cotton,  and  fruits 
are  also  raised.  Havana,  with  an  area  of  8610  square  miles, 
has  a population  of  451,928  (344,417  white  and  107,511 
black).  It  is  the  centre  of  manufacture,  the  capital  province, 
and  the  most  populous  province  of  the  Island.  Matanzas, 
with  an  area  of  14,967  square  miles,  has  a population  of 
259-578  (143,169  white  and  115,409  black),  and  is  the  centre 
of  the  sugar  industry;  corn,  rice,  honey,  wax,  and  fruits  are 
produced  and  the  province  contains  a deposit  of  peat  and 
copper.  Santa  Clara,  with  an  area  of  23,083  square  miles, 
has  a population  of  354,122  (244,345  white  and  109,777 
black),  and  it  is  rich  in  sugar,  fruits,  and  minerals,  including 
gold  deposits  in  the  Arino  River.  Puerto  Principe,  with  an 
area  of  32,341  square  miles,  has  a population  of  67,789 
(54,232  white  and  13,557  black),  and  is  a mountainous 
region,  with  the  largest  caves  and  the  highest  mountains; 
building  and  cabinet  woods  and  guava  jelly  are  its  chief  pro- 
ducts. Santiago  de  Cuba,  with  an  area  of  35,119  square 


122 


SQUARE  IN  FRONT  OF  GOVERNOR’S  PALACE  AT  SANTIAGO  DE  CUBA. 


Cities  and  Towns  of  Cuba 


123 


miles,  the  largest  of  the  provinces,  has  a population  of 
272,379  (157,980  white  and  114,399  black),  and  not  only 
possesses  all  the  agricultural  products  found  in  the  other 
provinces,  but  also  has  deposits  of  gold,  iron,  copper,  zinc, 
asphalt,  manganese,  mercury,  marble  and  alabaster,  rock 
crystal,  and  gems,  and  its  commerce  is  most  extensive. 

There  are  115  cities  and  towns  in  the  Island  having  an 
estimated  population  of  200  and  upwards  named  as  follows: 


Cities.  Population. 

Havana 200,000 

Matanzas 50,000 

Puerto  Principe 40,679 

Santiago  de  Cuba 40,000 

Cienfuegos 25,790 

Guanabacoa 25,000 

Santa  Clara 24,635 

Cardenas 20,505 

Trinidad 18,000 

Sancti  Spiritu 17,540 

Sagua  la  Grande 14,000 

Regia 10,486 

Manzanillo 9,036 

Guantanamo 9,000 

San  Antonio  de  las  Banos. . . 7,500 

San  Juan  de  los  Remedios. . . 7,230 

San  Fernando  de  Nuevitas. . 6,991 

San  Julian  de  los  Gliines 6,828 

Colon 6,525 

Bejucal 6,239 

Jovellanos  (Bemba)... 6,000 

Santiago  de  las  Vegas 6,000 

Guanajay 6,000 

Pinar  del  Rio 5, 500 

Holguin 5,500 

Caibarien 5, 500 

Baracoa 5,213 

Guira 5, 000 

La  Isabela 5,000 

Artemisa 5, 000 

Santa  Isabel  de  las  Lajas. . ..  4,924 

Guana 4,650 

Gibara 4,608 

Macagua 4,100 


Cities.  Population. 

Macurijes 4, 100 

Bayamo 3,634 

San  Luis 3,556 

San  Cristobal 3,522 

Guira  de  Melena 3, 500 

Moron 3,017 

La  Cruces 3,000 

Alfonso  XII 3,000 

Arroyo  Navanijo 3,000 

Sabanillo  del  Encomendador,  2,991 

Palmira 2,987 

Guanajayabo 2,879 

Nueva  Paz 2,737 

Alquizar 2,700 

San  Felipe 2,311 

San  Juan  de  las  Yeras 2,267 

Jaruco 2,200 

San  Jose  de  las  Lajas 2,170 

La  Esperanza 2,147 

San  Juan  y Martinez 2,100 

Corral  Nuevo 2,092 

Consolacion  del  Sur 2,000 

Giiines 2,000 

Santa  Cruz 2,000 

Quemados  de  Gliines 2,000 

Quivican 1,950 

Bahia  Honda 1,889 

Batabano 1,864 

Bolondron 1,758 

Santa  Domingo 1, 750 

Mariel 1,637 

Cuevitas 1,629 

Cervantes 1,560 

Ranchuelo 1,533 


124 


Industrial  Cuba 


Cities.  Population. 

Cabanas 1,509 

San  Antonio  de  Cabezas  . . . 1,500 

Zaza 1,500 

Calaboya 1,500 

Cartagena 1,497 

Calabazar 1,481 

Palmillas 1,471 

Aguacate 1,427 

San  Diego  del  Valle 1,403 

Jiguani i,3g3 

Mantua 1,380 

Cayajabos 1,352 

Marianao 1,225 

San  Antonio  de  Rio  Blanco 

del  Norte 1,200 

Candelaria 1,200 

Ciego  de  Avila 1,167 

Catalina 1,165 

San  Antonio  de  las  Vegas.  ..  1,136 

Tapaste 1,130 

San  Nicolas 1,100 

Melena  del  Sur 1,082 

Santa  Cruz  del  Sur 1,000 

Bainoa 1,000 

Sagua  de  Tanamo 981 

Vinales 925 


Cittes.  Population. 

Managua 896 

Ceiba  del  Agua 892 

Roque 800 

Salud 800 

Canasi 700 

Caney 700 

Jibacoa 696 

Cidra 695 

Vereda  Nueva 672 

Santa  Maria  del  Rosario. . . . 660 

Rancho  Velez 656 

Santi  Ana 601 

San  Jose  de  los  Remos 570 

Camarones 546 

Lagunillas 520 

Guane 510 

San  Matias  de  Rio  Blanco..  400 

Alto  Songo 400 

Limonar 33o 

Araaro 32o 

San  Miguel 3oo 

Madruga 3oo 

Cimarrones 3oo 

Mangar 209 

La  Boca 200 

Alonso  Rojos 200 


In  addition  to  these  are  132  places  with  less  than  200 
population,  including  railroad  stations,  bathing  and  health 
resorts,  and  farm  hamlets. 

As  will  be  observed  by  the  student  of  municipal  nomen- 
clature, the  Spanish  were  liberal  to  Cuba  in  christening  the 
towns  in  the  Island,  however  parsimonious  the  mother 
country  was  in  respect  of  all  other  things;  and  many  Cuban 
towns  have  more  name  than  anything  else.  The  oldest 
town  is  Baracoa,  in  the  province  of  Santiago  de  Cuba.  It 
was  laid  out  in  1 5 1 2.  Its  chief  products  are  bananas,  cocoa, 
and  cocoa  oil,  and  there  are  some  remarkable  caves  near  by, 
noted  for  beautiful  stalactites  and  well  preserved  fossil 
human  remains. 

The  largest  city  in  the  Island  is  Havana,  the  capital,  to 
which  a chapter  is  devoted  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 


A MULE  TRAIN,  SANTIAGO  DE  CUBA. 

FROM  A PHOTOGRAPH  BY  J.  F.  COONLEY,  NASSAU,  f 


Cities  and  Towns  of  Cuba 


125 


Matanzas,  in  size  the  second  city  of  the  Island,  and  the 
capital  of  the  province  of  Matanzas,  is,  in  some  particulars, 
the  most  attractive  city  of  Cuba,  although  but  one-fourth 
the  size  of  Havana.  It  lies  seventy-four  miles  by  rail  to  the 
east  of  Havana,  on  the  fine  bay  of  Matanzas,  with  beautiful 
hills  at  its  back.  The  town  is  divided  into  three  parts  by 
the  rivers  San  Juan  and  Yumuri,  two  streams  which  water 
the  valley  of  Yumuri,  situated  behind  the  hills  of  Matanzas, 
and  presenting  the  most  exquisite  scenery  in  Cuba.  The 
climate  and  soil  of  the  valley  make  Yumuri,  to  Cubans, 
synonymous  with  poesy  and  Paradise.  Notwithstanding 
the  commercial  importance  of  Matanzas,  the  Spanish 
authorities  have  neglected  the  wharves  and  permitted  its 
harbour  to  become  so  filled  with  sediment  from  the  river 
that  ships  are  compelled  to  load  and  unload  by  means  of 
lighters  in  the  roadstead.  The  city  was  founded  in  1693, 
and  has  paved  streets,  usually  thirty  feet  in  width,  with 
three-foot  sidewalks;  interesting  stuccoed  houses  of  two 
stories,  coloured  drab  and  ochre,  with  balconies;  pleasant 
parks,  with  fountains  and  flowers;  a pleasure  promenade  and 
drive — the  Paseo;  one  of  the  best  hotels  in  Cuba;  several 
theatres,  among  them  the  Esteban;  some  notable  churches, 
including  the  Hermitage,  on  Mount  Montserrat,  at  whose 
shrine  marvellous  cures  are  said  to  be  effected.  The  people 
are  well  content. 

The  leading  industries  are  rum  distilleries,  sugar  refineries, 
guava-jelly  factories,  machine  and  railroad-car  shops.  Ship- 
ments of  sugar  and  molasses  to  the  United  States  in  1891-95 
were  about  $60,000,000.  The  city  has  gas-works  and  an 
electric-light  plant,  but  no  street-cars,  and  since  1872  it  has 
had  a fine  water  supply,  though  only  about  half  the  houses 
are  connected  with  the  water  system,  and  many  of  the 
people  still  buy  water  of  street  vendors,  without  knowledge 
as  to  the  source  of  supply  or  purity  of  the  water.  Sewers 
run  through  only  two  streets,  though  the  location  of  the 
city  is  well  adapted  to  secure  excellent  drainage.  The 
suburbs,  or  rather  divisions,  of  the  city  by  the  river  are 


126 


Industrial  Cuba 


known  as  Versailles,  on  the  north-east,  and  to  the  south-east, 
Pueblo  Nuevo.  Through  the  latter  part  of  the  city  leads 
the  road  to  the  famous  caves  of  Bellamar,  three  and  a half 
miles,  where  many  invalids  resort  for  the  health-giving 
qualities  of  the  warm  air  of  the  caverns. 

The  most  beautiful  and  striking  feature  of  Matanzas  is 
the  cafion  of  the  Yumuri,  a great  gorge  of  perpendicular 
walls  green-clad  with  tropical  vegetation  through  which  the 
rivers  of  the  Vumuri  Valley  flow  down  to  the  sea.  This  is 
a constant  resort  for  the  pleasure-loving  Matanzans,  and 
they  thoroughly  realise  its  beauty  and  value  to  the  city. 
There  are  many  interesting  drives  and  excursions  by  river 
and  rail  from  Matanzas.  The  waggon  roads  extending  into 
the  interior,  as  everywhere  in  Cuba,  are  in  wretched  condi- 
tion ; the  railroad  connections  by  several  routes  are  fairly 
good,  the  roads  being  equipped  with  American  cars  and 
engines.  Its  population  of  fifty  thousand  is  nominal,  having 
been  reduced  about  one-third  by  the  war. 

The  third  city  in  the  Island  is  Puerto  Principe,  capital  of 
the  province  of  Puerto  Principe,  and  known  to  the  natives 
as  Camagiiey,  the  original  name  of  the  town  and  province. 
It  is  forty-five  miles  from  the  south  coast  and  thirty-five 
from  the  north,  although  it  is  forty-five  miles  from  its  seaport, 
Nuevitas,  with  which  it  is  connected  by  its  only  railroad. 
It  is  located  in  the  midst  of  what  once  was  the  grazing  dis- 
trict,— though  the  cattle  are  now  destroyed, — and  being  on 
a plain  seven  hundred  feet  above  the  sea  it  is  a healthful 
place.  Camagiiey  is  a back-number  town,  so  to  speak, 
having  narrow  streets  with  narrow  sidewalks,  or  none  at  all, 
old  houses,  old  fashions,  and  fewer  foreigners  than  any  of 
the  other  Cuban  towns.  It  is  distinctively  Cuban,  and  the 
new  era  of  Cuba  will  no  doubt  work  a long  time  on  the  good 
people  of  Camagiiey  before  they  set  aside  the  old  things 
and  step  out  into  the  procession  of  progress,  clothed  in  the 
uniforms  of  the  modern  “ hustlers.”  In  this  city  of  over 
forty  thousand  people  there  is  not  a hotel,  and  the  inhabit- 
ants are  noted  for  their  hospitality. 


Cities  and  Towns  of  Cuba 


127 


Of  great  commercial  significance  is  Cienfuegos,  one  of  the 
south-coast  cities,  and  in  some  respects  one  of  the  best 
towns  on  the  Island.  It  is  situated  on  the  landlocked  bay 
of  Jagua,  with  one  of  the  safest  harbours  in  the  world,  and 
though  built  only  since  1819,  and  restored  after  a hurricane 
in  1825,  it  has  developed  a spirit  of  energy  and  progress  rare 
in  Cuban  cities.  It  has  an  extensive  and  growing  com- 
merce, with  numerous  wharves  and  piers  for  its  shipping;  a 
railroad  190  miles  to  Havana  and  one  to  Sagua  la  Grande 
on  the  north  coast;  electric  lights  and  gas-works;  25,790 
people;  3000  stone  and  wooden  houses;  the  famous  Terry 
theatre  and  one  of  the  finest  plazas  in  Cuba ; a good  location 
for  drainage,  but  with  stagnant  water  in  the  streets,  and  no 
sewers  ; much  bad  health,  and  one  of  the  finest  oppor- 
tunities on  earth  to  take  advantage  of  the  new  order  of 
things  and  convert  its  energy  and  youth  into  a power  that 
will  make  Cienfuegos  the  Chicago  of  Cuba.  There  is  one 
good  hotel.  The  only  serious  strike  that  ever  occurred  in 
Cuba  took  place  in  Cienfuegos  among  the  longshoremen, 
and  resulted  in  the  sending  of  all  the  recalcitrants  by  the 
authorities  to  the  Isle  of  Pines  as  criminals.  The  bay  of 
Jagua  is  noted  for  its  beautiful  clear  blue  water  with  a 
bottom  of  the  whitest  sand.  The  climate  is  more  variable 
than  that  of  Cuban  coast  cities  as  a rule,  the  mercury 
marking  as  high  as  ninety-three  degrees  in  summer  and 
going  down  into  the  fifties  during  the  night  in  the  rainy 
season. 

The  Cuban  city  held  to  be  the  most  healthful,  though 
sanitary  regulations  are  practically  unknown,  is  Trinidad, 
in  the  province  of  Santa  Clara.  It  is  also  one  of  the  oldest, 
having  been  founded  by  Diego  Velasquez  in  1514.  It  is 
three  miles  in  the  interior  from  its  seaport,  Casilda,  though 
coastwise  vessels  of  light  draft  can  approach  it  by  the  river 
Guaurabo.  The  town  has  a picturesque  location,  on  the 
slope  of  La  Vija  (“  Lookout  ”),  a hill  rising  nine  hundred 
feet  above  the  sea.  The  harbour  of  Casilda  is  three  miles 
long  by  one  and  a half  miles  wide,  and  has  only  about 


Industrial  Cuba 


1 28 

eleven  feet  of  water.  From  this  bay  Cortez  sailed  for 
Mexico.  There  are  several  fine  public  parks  and  drives, 
and  socially  Trinidad  in  the  winter  season  is  one  of  the 
gayest  cities  on  the  Island.  It  is  lighted  by  gas,  and 
though  it  has  no  sewers,  its  location  is  such  that  the  rains 
keep  it  washed  clean.  The  population  is  eighteen  thou- 
sand. In  good  times  Trinidad  has  shipped  to  the  United 
States  $903,700  worth  of  sugar,  mahogany,  coffee,  and 
honey  in  one  year,  but  times  have  been  poor  in  recent 
years,  and  Trinidad  is  one  of  the  towns  which  will  feel  the 
reviving  effects  of  the  new  era  of  prosperity. 

Santa  Clara,  the  capital  of  the  province  of  that  name,  has 
a population  of  twenty-five  thousand,  and  is  popularly 
known  as  Villa  Clara.  It  was  founded  in  1689,  and  was 
once  known  for  its  great  wealth  and  beautiful  women;  its- 
glory  in  this  latter  regard  still  continues.  It  has  one  ex- 
cellent hotel,  kept  in  modern  fashion,  and  a fine  theatre. 
Its  railway  connections  are  excellent  in  all  directions;  in- 
deed, it  is  the  terminus  of  the  Cuban  system  of  railways. 
It  is  248  miles  by  rail  from  Havana,  and  thirty  miles  from 
the  north  and  forty  from  the  south  coast.  Its  location  is 
high,  and  a fine  grazing  country  surrounds  it.  Minerals  also 
abound,  and  ten  thousand  tons  of  a fine  asphaltum  have 
been  shipped  in  a year.  Silver  yielding  as  much  as  $200  per 
ton  has  been  found,  but  the  mines  have  not  been  worked. 
Evidences  of  natural  gas  are  present  near  the  town.  Santa 
Clara  has  wide  streets,  and  despite  its  healthful  location, 
it  is,  by  reason  of  poor  or  no  sanitary  regulations,  an  un- 
healthful place,  though  there  is  never  any  yellow  fever. 

The  capital  of  the  province  of  Santiago  de  Cuba  is  Santi- 
ago de  Cuba,  generally  known  as  Cuba  to  the  natives  and 
Santiago  to  foreigners.  Owing  to  its  war  record  it  is  the 
best-known  town  in  the  Island.  It  is  situated  on  the  south 
coast,  one  hundred  miles  from  the  west  end  of  Cuba,  and 
its  harbour  is  one  of  the  safest  and  finest  in  the  world, 
having  an  opening  into  the  sea  only  one  hundred  and  eighty 
yards  in  width,  extending  back  six  miles  into  a beautiful 


YUMURI  RIVER  AND  ENTRANCE  TO  THE  VALLEY,  MATANZAS. 


Cities  and  Towns  of  Cuba 


129 

bay,  three  miles  wide  at  its  greatest  width.  Santiago  has  a 
population  of  forty  thousand  (estimated  sixty  thousand  in 
1895),  and  is  the  second  oldest  city  in  Cuba,  the  capital 
having  been  removed  thither  from  Baracoa  in  1514  by  Vel- 
asquez. It  is  historically  the  most  interesting  city  in 
Cuba,  and  it  promises  to  be  for  the  future  second  in  im- 
portance to  none  in  the  Island,  except  Havana.  It  be- 
came a bishopric  as  early  as  1527  and  is  now  the  metropolis 
of  the  Catholic  Church  in  Cuba,  the  Archbishop  of  Santiago 
being  the  Primate.  The  celebrations  of  church  festivals  are 
conducted  with  ceremonies  more  elaborate  than  those  any- 
where else  in  the  Island,  and  the  cathedral,  in  the  Hispano- 
American  style,  is  the  largest  in  Cuba,  if  not  the  handsomest. 
It  is  said  that  in  a Santiago  theatre  Adelina  Patti  made  her 
first  public  appearance,  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years;  Velas- 
quez is  buried  in  this  city,  and  so  is  Antomarchi,  the  physi- 
cian of  Napoleon,  who  died,  as  his  emperor  did,  upon  a 
foreign  island.  Cuba’s  greatest  poet,  Josd  Maria  Heredia, 
was  born  here,  as  were  Milanes,  Dona  Luisa  Perez  de  Mon- 
tes de  Oca,  Dona  Gertrudis  Gomez  de  Avellanda;  and 
Placido,  next  to  Heredia  in  merit,  passed  several  years 
here. 

Although  well  located  for  drainage,  Santiago  is  one  of  the 
most  unhealthful  towns  in  Cuba,  and  its  beautiful  bay  is 
little  better  than  a cesspool.  Yellow  fever  and  smallpox 
have  been  the  prevailing  epidemics  for  years,  but  under  the 
new  order  a new  condition  will  arise.  Santiago,  with  very 
poor  business  houses  and  offices,  does  a flourishing  trade, 
wholesale,  retail,  and  in  shipping.  The  surrounding  country 
has  many  people  employed  not  only  in  agriculture,  but  in 
mining  as  well,  for  Santiago  is  the  centre  of  the  mining 
district.  Its  railway  facilities  are  practically  nil,  being 
located  two  hundred  miles  east  of  the  last  railway  leading 
anywhere.  The  city  is  Moorish  in  its  aspect.  It  is  suffic- 
iently ancient  to  be  without  hotels,  though  there  are 
several  clubs  where  civilised  beings  may  be  entertained 

comfortably.  The  fortifications  about  the  city  are  interest- 
9 


130 


Industrial  Cuba 


ing:  the  Morro,— which  is  one  hundred  years  older  than 
that  of  Havana,— La  Socapa,  La  Estrella,  and  Smith  Key 
— all  these  have  received  much  mention  during  the  late 
war.  The  mining  interests  of  Santiago  will  be  considered 
under  a separate  chapter. 

Cardenas  may  be  said  tc  be  the  newest  town  in  Cuba,  and 
is  known  as  “ the  American  city,”  owing  to  the  fact  that 
many  Americans  are  located  here  in  business,  or  make  it 
their  headquarters,  with  business  interests  elsewhere  in  the 
Island.  It  was  founded  in  1828,  is  a thriving  town,  with 
wide  streets,  numerous  wharves,  a plaza  with  a bronze 
statue  of  Columbus,  and  is  a purely  commercial  city.  The 
harbour  is  shallow,  and  the  piers  running  into  it  are  from 
three  hundred  to  one  thousand  feet  in  length.  Although 
without  sewers  and  located  on  swampy  ground,  Cardenas  is 
not  unhealthful  as  the  term  is  understood  in  Cuba.  There 
are  fine  water-works,  but  many  of  the  people  still  prefer  to 
buy  water  of  street  vendors.  Gas  and  electricity  light  the 
town.  Its  chief  business  is  in  sugar,  but,  unlike  other 
Cuban  cities,  it  possesses  numerous  and  varied  manufact- 
ures, producing  liquors,  beers,  metal-work,  soap,  cigars, 
fabrics,  etc.  It  has  connection  by  steamer  and  rail  with  the 
chief  points  of  the  Island.  The  population  is  20,505,  over 
15,000  of  which  is  white.  Cardenas  exported  goods  in  1894 
to  the  amount  of  $10,008,565,  of  which  $9,682,335  was  in 
sugar  shipped  to  the  United  States,  as  against  $10,000,000 
the  previous  year.  Her  imports  in  1892  were  $4,900,000, 
and  in  1895  the  United  States  sent  32,283  tons  of  coal  to 
this  port.  Situated  in  one  of  the  richest  agricultural  sec- 
tions of  Cuba,  Cardenas  is  also  not  poor  in  mineral  wealth, 
notably  asphalt.  Peculiar  mines  of  asphalt  are  found  in  the 
waters  of  the  bay.  The  mineral  is  broken  loose  by  bars 
dropped  from  ten  to  twelve  feet  through  the  water  upon 
it,  and  the  pieces  are  scooped  up  with  a net.  The  supply 
of  the  mineral  is  renewed  from  some  unknown  source  as  fast 
as  it  is  taken  away.  One  of  these  mines  has  furnished  as 
much  as  20,000  tons,  and  the  supply  is  inexhaustible. 


Cities  and  Towns  of  Cuba  131 

Asphalt  of  the  first  grade  is  worth  from  $80  to  $125  per 
ton. 

Sagua  la  Grande,  twenty-five  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the 
river  of  that  name,  is  almost  wholly  a sugar  town.  It  has  a 
population  of  14, OCX),  and  is  the  northern  terminus  of  the 
Havana  Railway  system.  Its  seaport  is  La  Isabela,  with  a 
poor  harbour;  and  its  exports  in  1895  reached  nearly 
$5,000,000 — with  a great  falling  off  since,  as  it  has  suffered 
as  much  as  any  town  in  the  Island  from  the  insurrection. 
As  an  indication  of  this  it  may  be  said  that  immediately 
before  the  insurrection  there  were  23,500  cattle,  4500  horses, 
4000  hogs,  700  sheep,  and  450  mules  in  the  Sagua  district, 
practically  all  of  which  have  been  destroyed  or  stolen. 
Sagua  has  an  ice  plant  whose  product  has  sold  at  $3  per 
hundredweight.  The  railway  from  Sagua  to  Cienfuegos 
marks  the  boundary  between  the  western  and  eastern  dis- 
tricts of  Cuba. 

Caibarien  is  another  nineteenth-century  town,  having 
been  founded  in  1822.  Its  houses  are  of  brick,  and  its 
warehouses  of  recent  styles  of  architecture.  Its  population 
is  fifty-five  hundred,  and  it  is  said  to  be  not  unhealthful, 
though  its  general  level  is  not  much  more  than  ten  feet 
above  the  sea,  and  the  country  is  swampy.  Its  chief  indus- 
try is  sugar,  although  recently  an  active  business  in  sponges 
has  grown  up,  principally  of  local  consumption,  the  annual 
value  approaching  half  a million  of  dollars.  The  harbour 
is  extensive,  but  shallow  and  poor.  A railway  extends  to 
San  Andres,  twenty-eight  and  one-half  miles  in  the  interior. 
Some  waggon  roads,  unusually  good  for  Cuba,  connect  it 
with  various  sugar  estates.  The  future  possibilities  of 
Caibarien  are  numerous  and  great. 

Manzanillo  is  the  best  town  on  the  south  coast  between 
Trinidad  and  Santiago,  and  was  founded  in  1784.  It  has  a 
population  of  nine  thousand,  and  is  the  seaport  of  several 
interior  towns  and  a rich  sugar  district,  and  is  also  the  gate- 
way to  the  fertile  valley  of  the  Cauto  River,  the  most 
important  stream  in  the  Island.  It  has  a fine  plaza,  and 


1 32 


Industrial  Cuba 


numerous  inferior  houses  on  fairly  good  streets,  wider  than 
the  usual  Cuban  street.  There  are  no  water-works,  gas- 
works, electric  lights,  or  street-cars.  The  town  is  one  of 
the  most  unhealthful  in  the  Island,  and  of  Manzanillo  mud 
the  author  has  spoken  in  a previous  chapter.  The  principal 
shipments  are  lumber,  tobacco,  sugar,  honey,  and  wax.  In 
1892-93-94  four  million  feet  of  mahogany  and  two  million 
one  hundred  thousand  feet  of  cedar  were  exported. 

Pinar  del  Rio,  the  capital  of  its  province,  should  be  par- 
ticularly interesting  to  Americans,  as  it  was  founded  in 
1776.  It  is  a brick  and  stone  town  of  5500  population  and 
is  neither  clean  nor  attractive.  It  has  very  few  foreigners 
and  is  in  no  sense  a modern  place.  It  is,  however,  of  com- 
mercial importance,  being  the  centre  of  the  famous  Vuelta 
Abajo  tobacco  district,  which  produces  the  finest  tobacco 
in  the  world.  Pinar  del  Rio  is  essentially  a tobacco  town. 
It  is  connected  with  Havana  by  a highroad  ( calzada ) and 
also  by  railway.  The  town  is  lacking  in  most  of  the  modern 
conveniences,  and  the  spirit  of  the  people  is  not  quick  to 
respond  to  new  notions. 

An  alphabetical  list  of  the  lesser  towns  may  serve  a useful 
purpose  to  the  reader  whose  geography  of  Cuba  is  as  yet  not 
complete. 

Artemisa  (Pinar  del  Rio)  is  a town  of  five  thousand  peo- 
ple, with  a paved  road  to  Guanajay,  nine  miles,  and  a rail- 
way to  Havana,  thirty-five  miles.  It  is  in  a fine  tobacco  and 
sugar  district,  and  is  a low  and  unhealthful  place,  but  beauti- 
fully shaded  with  palms. 

Bahia  Honda  (Pinar  del  Rio),  with  about  two  thousand 
population,  is  one  of  the  chief  seaports  of  the  mountain 
coast ; and  although  it  possesses  none  of  the  visible  evidences 
of  future  promise,  still  it  is  one  of  the  places  which  impress 
the  visitor  with  belief  in  its  future  greatness.  Its  population 
is  largely  black,  its  wharves  are  miserable,  its  houses  are 
poor;  though  over  one  hundred  years  old,  it  is  not  a port  of 
entry — and  still  Bahia  is  promising.  The  harbour  is  one  of 
the  finest  on  the  coast,  the  surrounding  country  is  rich  in 


PANORAMA  FROM  THE  ROAD  TO  THE  CAVES,  MATANZAS. 


Cities  and  Towns  of  Cuba 


i33 


tobacco  and  sugar  soil,  the  climatic  conditions  are  favour- 
able, and  the  new  times  will  be  good  times  for  Bahia. 

Cabanas  (Pinar  del  Rio),  with  a population  of  fifteen  hun- 
dred, has  a landlocked,  shallow  harbour,  four  miles  by  seven 
in  extent,  and  its  connections  with  the  interior  are  bad.  It 
came  into  prominence  during  the  war,  and  was  partly  de- 
stroyed by  General  Maceo. 

Consolacion  del  Sur  (Pinar  del  Rio)  is,  after  Bahia  Honda, 
the  chief  commercial  town  of  the  province.  It  has  a popul- 
ation of  two  thousand,  and  is  in  the  centre  of  the  Vuelta 
Abajo  tobacco  district,  with  eight  hundred  plantations 
tributary  to  it. 

Guanajay  (Pinar  del  Rio)  has  a population  of  six  thousand, 
is  the  junction  of  several  paved  roads,  and  is  considerably 
above  the  average  interior  town  in  progressive  spirit.  It  is 
lacking,  however,  in  modern  conveniences  and  suffered  by 
the  war. 

San  Cristobal  (Pinar  del  Rio),  though  one  of  the  oldest 
towns  in  the  Island,  is  very  enterprising  and  its  people  are 
energetic  and  prosperous.  It  has  a railway  and  good  wag- 
gon roads,  and  its  thirty-five  hundred  people  have  a good 
climate  and  good  health.  It  is  in  the  midst  of  the  Vuelta 
Abajo  tobacco  district. 

San  Diego  de  los  Banos  (Pinar  del  Rio)  is  to  be  especially 
mentioned  for  its  wonderful  sulphur  baths.  In  one  enclos- 
ure there  are  four  of  these  springs,  having  a temperature  of 
ninety  degrees,  and  they  have  effected  cures  in  leprosy,  other 
cutaneous  diseases,  and  rheumatism  which  are  passing  be- 
lief. It  has  beautiful  surroundings  of  hill  and  sea  and  its 
caves  of  Arcos  de  Carguanabo  are  famous. 

Vinales  (Pinar  del  Rio),  a small  town  of  925  people,  is  the 
interior  terminus  of  the  railroad  running  to  the  north  coast 
and  the  celebrated  San  Vincente  mineral  springs. 

Batabano  (Havana)  is  the  southern  seaport  of  the  city  of 
Havana,  thirty-three  miles  to  the  north,  and  connected 
with  it  by  rail  and  paved  roads.  The  town,  in  two  parts, 
La  Plaza  and  Surgirdero,  is  meanly  built,  and  has  about 


134 


Industrial  Cuba 


nineteen  hundred  people.  It  has  no  harbour,  but  is  the 
western  terminus  of  the  south-coast  line  of  steamers.  The 
waters  about  Batabano  are  notable  for  the  beautiful  sub- 
marine views  they  present  to  observers  on  steamers.  Bata- 
bano is  hot  and  unhealthful. 

Bejucal  (Havana),  built  in  1710,  has  a population  of  six 
thousand  two  hundred,  an  elevation  of  three  hundred  feet, 
and  a situation  in  the  midst  of  pleasing  scenery.  The  town 
itself  is  unattractive  to  the  eye,  but  its  health  is  good,  the 
people  being  noted  for  their  long  lives. 

Cojimar  (Havana),  four  miles  from  Havana,  has  a beautiful 
sand  beach,  the  finest  in  Cuba,  and  in  time  will  become  a 
profitable  seaside  resort,  though  now  unimproved.  The 
British  landed  here  in  1762. 

Guanabacoa  (Havana)  is  practically  a suburb  of  Havana 
and  has  a population  of  twenty-five  thousand.  With  every 
opportunity  and  possibility  of  being  a clean,  modern  city, 
it  is  quite  the  reverse. 

Chines  (Havana),  thirty  miles  from  Havana  over  a fine 
waggon  road,  and  forty-four  by  rail,  has  a population  of  about 
seven  thousand,  and  one  of  the  most  desirable  situations  in 
the  Island.  It  has  bridges  over  the  river  Catalina,  a good 
hotel,  a fine  railway  station ; about  it  lies  a rich  agricultural 
and  grazing  country,  and  the  town  is,  in  respect  of  health, 
thrift,  and  progress,  a model  town— for  Cuba. 

Jaruco  (Havana),  with  a population  of  two  thousand  two 
hundred,  claims  recognition  chiefly  because  it  is  clean. 
Naturally  its  health  is  better  than  that  of  most  Cuban  towns' 

Madruga  (Havana)  is  famed  for  its  warm  mineral  springs. 

It  is  fifty-fi\  e miles  from  Havana  by  rail.  Population  three 
hundred. 

Marianao  (Havana),  a suburb  of  Havana  six  miles  away, 
has  a population  of  twelve  hundred,  and  is  said  to  be  the 
cleanest  and  prettiest  town  in  Cuba.  Its  people  are  entirely 
of  the  better  class. 

Regia  (Havana),  a suburb  of  Havana,  connected  with  the 
city  by  ferries,  has  the  largest  and  finest  sugar  warehouses 


Cities  and  Towns  of  Cuba  135 

in  the  world  and  a bull-ring  vying  in  popularity  with  those 
of  Havana. 

San  Antonio  de  los  Banos  (Havana),  with  seven  thousand 
five  hundred  people,  twenty  miles  from  Havana,  is  the  most 
popular  mineral-springs  resort  in  the  Island  and  its  climate 
is  famous  for  its  health-giving  qualities. 

Colon  (Matanzas),  on  the  railway  between  Matanzas  and 
Cardenas,  in  the  heart  of  the  sugar-producing  district  of  this 
section,  has  six  thousand  five  hundred  people  and  is  of  much 
commercial  importance.  Like  all  the  others,  it  needs  pub- 
lic improvements. 

Jovellanos  (Matanzas),  also  known  as  Bemba,  is  a coloured 
town,  the  bulk  of  its  population  being  negroes,  and  its  only 
hotel  is  kept  by  a Chinaman. 

Macagua  (Matanzas)  is  noted  for  its  extensive  sugar 
estates.  Some  of  the  largest  in  Cuba  are  immediately 
around  it.  Population  four  thousand  one  hundred.  It  has 
a railway  to  Colon  and  Santa  Clara. 

Calaboya  (Santa  Clara)  has  a population  of  fifteen  hundred 
and  possesses,  in  the  bridge  over  the  Calaboya  River,  the 
longest  railway  bridge  in  Cuba.  Otherwise  it  is  not  im- 
portant. 

La  Cruces  (Santa  Clara)  is  a railway  junction  and  was  at 
one  time  actively  engaged  in  shipping  horses,  cattle,  and 
sugar.  The  people  are  active  and  energetic,  and  have  been 
complimented  with  the  name  of  the  “ Yankees  of  Cuba.” 

La  Isabela  (Santa  Clara),  called  also  Concha  and  La  Boca, 
is  the  seaport  of  Sagua  la  Grande,  and  has  five  thousand 
people.  It  is  the  shore  terminus  of  the  railway  to  Sagua 
and  is  of  considerable  commercial  importance,  with  a cosmo- 
politan people. 

Remedios  (Santa  Clara),  with  a population  of  seven  thou- 
sand, is  in  a fine  country  and  is  one  of  the  cities  of  the 
future,  naturally  and  logically. 

Sancti  Spiritus  (Santa  Clara),  also  known  as  Santo  Espir- 
itu,  founded  in  1514,  is  one  of  the  old  towns  of  the  Island. 
Despite  its  size  (seventeen  thousand),  it  is  of  no  great  com- 


r36  Industrial  Cuba 

mercial  importance,  and  is  a dirty  town  in  a good  location 
for  cleanliness. 

Santa  Isabel  (Santa  Clara),  with  a population  of  five  thou- 
sand, does  a good  business  in  sugar  and  cattle.  Cienfuegos 
is  its  seaport  and  is  connected  with  it  by  a railroad  twenty- 
five  miles  long. 

Tunas  de  Zaza  (Santa  Clara),  with  fifteen  hundred  popula- 
tion, is  in  such  a poor  country  agriculturally  and  aquatically, 
that  the  railway  has  a monopoly  in  carrying  vegetables  and 
water  supply  to  the  people.  The  town  is  hot  and  healthful. 
It  has  shipped  as  much  as  half  a million  dollars’  worth  of 
sugar,  mahogany,  cedar,  honey,  beeswax,  etc.,  to  the  United 
States  in  one  year. 

Nuevitas  (Puerto  Principe),  population  seven  thousand,  is 
a town  of  promise  and  no  public  improvements.  Water,  in 
the  dry  season,  commands  nearly  as  high  a price  as  whiskey. 
It  is  the  seaport  of  Puerto  Principe,  Cuba’s  largest  inland 
town,  and  is  connected  with  it  by  forty-five  miles  of  railroad. 
It  has  a fine  harbour  and  a good  location  for  drainage.  It 
was  at  or  near  Nuevitas  that  Columbus  first  saw  Cuba.”  Its 
annual  exports  to  the  United  States  have,  in  a good  year, 
exceeded  one  million  dollars. 

Banes  (Santiago  de  Cuba)  is  noted  for  its  fruit  business, 
as  many  as  4,651,000  bunches  of  bananas  having  been  ex- 
ported since  1890.  Thirty-two  thousand  pineapples  were 
shipped  in  1894,  but  the  insurrection  ruined  the  business  in 
1896. 

Baracoa  (Santiago  de  Cuba)  is  the  most  eastern  port  of 
importance  on  the  north  coast.  It  is  the  oldest  town  in 
Cuba  and  formerly  was  the  capital.  It  was  founded  in  1512 
by  Velasquez,  whose  house  is  still  shown  to  the  traveller. 
Baracoa  is  far  behind  the  times,  but  it  has  all  the  potentiali- 
ties for  future  greatness.  The  country  along  the  coast  is 
not  healthful,  but  the  interior  is  not  only  fine  scenically 
but  also  excellent  as  to  its  health  standard.  There  are  no 
good  roads  and  no  railways  of  any  kind.  Baracoa  imports 
about  nineteen  thousand  pints  of  beer  per  annum  from  the 


THE  PLAZA,  CIENFUEQOS. 


Cities  and  Towns  of  Cuba 


i37 


United  States,  and  Milwaukee  sells  at  twenty-five  cents  a 
bottle.  Copper,  cocoanuts  and  oil,  bananas,  and  cocoa 
constitute  the  exports.  General  Maceo  and  his  followers 
inaugurated  the  last  Cuban  revolution  in  Baracoa,  on  the 
20th  of  February,  1895,  and  within  a year  had  marched 
through  the  Island  to  Mantua  in  the  west  of  Pinar  del  Rio. 

Bayamo  (Santiago  de  Cuba),  with  a population  of  about 
4000  and  an  age  of  about  350  years,  is  a Spanish  relic  city, 
being  very  like  the  earlier  cities  of  the  mother  country.  It 
has  eleven  churches.  It  has  none  of  the  modern  conven- 
iences and  no  railways,  and  its  waggon  roads  are  impassable 
in  the  wet  season.  Bayamo  never  had  a boom.  It  was  the 
cradle  of  the  Ten  Years’  War. 

Cobre  (Santiago  de  Cuba(,  founded  in  1558,  is  famous  for 
its  copper  mines.  It  has  a magnificent  sanctuary,  in  which  is 
the  little  statue  known  as  the  Virgin  of  Charity , which  is 
claimed  to  have  effected  miraculous  cures  of  all  kinds. 

Gibara  (Santiago  de  Cuba),  also  spelled  with  a “ J,”  is  the 
seaport  for  Holguin,  with  which  it  is  connected  by  a railroad 
seventeen  miles  long  and  by  a very  bad  waggon  road.  It 
has  a population  of  about  five  thousand.  It  is  greatly  in 
need  of  improvement. 

Guantanamo  (Santiago  de  Cuba)  has  a population  of  nine 
thousand,  and  is  the  centre  of  the  coffee  district.  Other 
agricultural  products  and  minerals  abound.  It  was  founded 
in  1843,  and  still  is  not  a modern  town  in  the  matter  of  con- 
veniences. It  is  unhealthful  because  it  has  no  sanitary 
provisions.  It  has  a fine  harbour  and  is  of  much  commer- 
cial importance.  It  came  into  prominence  during  the  late 
war. 

Holguin  (Santiago  de  Cuba),  with  a high  and  healthful 
location  and  fifty-five  hundred  people,  ought  to  be  a much 
better  town  than  it  is,  and  will  improve  under  the  new 
order.  It  is  fifteen  miles  from  the  north  coast,  and  is  in  the 
centre  of  the  hardwood  industry.  It  was  of  great  military 
importance  during  the  late  war. 

Jiguani  (Santiago  de  Cuba),  with  a picturesque  mountain- 


Industrial  Cuba 


138 

ous  location,  and  an  old  castle  in  the  vicinity,  will  be  attract- 
ive to  tourists  and  artists. 

Of  the  570  islands,  or  keys,  on  the  north  coast  of  Cuba  and 
the  730  on  the  south,  the  Isle  of  Pines  is  the  only  one  of  suf- 
ficient size  to  be  of  importance;  its  area  being  1214  square 
miles  to  1350  square  miles  for  all  the  other  1299  Islands. 
The  Isle  of  Pines  belongs  to  the  judicial  district  of  Bejucal 
(Havana),  and  was  first  called  “ Evangelist  Island  ” by 
Columbus,  who  discovered  it  in  1494.  It  has  a population 
of  2000,  of  which  1800  is  about  equally  divided  between  its 
two  chief  towns,  Nueva  Gerona  and  Santa  Fe.  The  people 
are  rather  superior  to  those  of  the  Island  of  Cuba,  and  the 
climate  is  drier  and  better  than  that  of  the  main  Island. 
Besides  the  pines  which  flourish  on  the  island,  there  is  a 
great  quantity  of  mahogany,  cedar,  and  other  hardwoods. 
There  are  deposits  of  fine  marble,  as  well  as  of  silver,  mer- 
cury, and  iron,  yet  to  be  developed.  Turtle  fishing  and 
pineapple  raising  flourish  to  some  extent.  The  Isle  of  Pines 
is  really  two  islands,  separated  by  a tide-covered  swamp, 
over  which  there  is  a causeway.  The  south  portion  is  rough 
and  barren,  while  the  northern  part  is  fertile  and  pleasing  to 
the  eye.  The  towns  are  poor.  Its  mineral  waters  are  much 
recommended  for  affections  of  the  stomach. 

A few  of  the  other  islands,  or  keys,  are  inhabited  in  a 
small  way,  and  the  largest  of  them,  Cayo  Romano,  has  an 
area  of  140  square  miles,  with  three  hills  rising  from  its  flat 
plain. 


CHAPTER  X 


HAVANA 


“ Oh  Queen  of  many-coloured  garb 
And  red-tiled  crown  ! — in  glory 
The  poets  who 
Have  sung  of  you 
Have  set  your  name  and  story. 

“ No  fairer  Queen,  they  sing,  than  you, 
The  fairest  of  the  daughters 
Of  Southern  seas 
Who  take  their  ease 
Beside  the  sunlit  waters. 

“ And  I,  as  they,  would  sing  thy  praise 
As  is  to  be  expected  ; 

But  ere  I sing, 

Oh  Queenly  Thing, 

Won’t  you  be  disinfected?” 


HATEVER  may  be  said  of  Havana,  the  capital  city 


of  the  Island  of  Cuba,  however  sonorously  its  high- 


sounding  name,  San  Cristobal  de  la  Habana,  may  be  rolled 
forth,  what  titles  of  Queen  of  the  Antilles,  Key  of  the 
New  World,  or  other  titular  effervescence  may  be  thrown 
about  it  by  the  sentimental  Spaniard,  or  the  vivid-minded 
visitor,  the  plain,  prosaic  fact  remains  that  Havana  for  cent- 
uries has  smelt  bad,  and  man’s  other  four  senses  are  utterly 
routed  from  any  field  of  enjoyment  when  his  nose  goes  on 
the  warpath.  Unfortunately  Havana  has,  for  this  reason, 
never  been  the  city  of  delight  that  Nature  intended  it  should 
be  for  at  least  one  third  of  every  year  of  its  existence.  In 


W.  J.  Lampton. 


139 


140 


Industrial  Cuba 


the  great  majority  of  instances  bad  smells  arise  from  a con- 
dition of  sanitary  neglect  which  means  bad  health;  and 
Havana  has  been,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  a plague  spot 
for  centuries.  Yellow  fever  is  always  present,  malarial  dis- 
eases of  all  kinds  are  prevalent,  smallpox  rings  the  changes 
at  every  opportunity,  and  every  ill  that  tropic  flesh  is  heir 
to  has  found  a home  and  government  encouragement  in 
Havana. 

This  chapter  on  Cuba  s capital  city  is  thus  introduced  be- 
cause, before  anything  else  is  done  looking  to  the  reorgan- 
isation and  the  regeneration  of  the  city  and  the  Island, 
thorough  measures  for  the  health  of  the  people  must  be 
formulated  and  put  into  immediate  and  active  operation. 
With  the  new  order  must  come  thousands  of  new  people; 
and  if  these  newcomers,  accustomed,  as  the  poorest  of 
them  are,  to  better  sanitary  regulations  and  conditions  than 
have  existed  in  Havana  and  Cuba,  are  permitted  to  enter 
the  Island  and  inhale  its  deadly  stenches,  Cuba  will  become 
an  international  cemetery  and  it  will  receive  a backset  worse 
than  the  worst  Spain  ever  did  for  it. 

Whatever  Havana  is  now  commercially,  the  time  was 
when  it  ranked  eighth  among  the  commercial  cities  of  the 
globe,  and  the  wealth  of  its  people  was  of  the  fabulous  kind 
which  characterised  everything  in  the  New  World.  The 
city  was  founded  about  1519,  and  it  received  its  name,  San 
Cristobal  de  la  Habana,  from  a small  town  of  that  name 
established  by  Velasquez  near  Batabano,  on  the  south 
coast.  This  was  practically  the  first  settlement,  but  the 
second  town  absorbed  the  settlers  of  the  less  important 
place.  So  large  was  the  hope  of  a great  future  for  the  new 
town  that  Diego  Velasquez,  the  first  Governor  of  the  Island, 
called  it  Llave  del  Nuevo  Mundo,  the  " Key  of  the  New 
World.  Later,  Las  Casas  obtained  a grant  of  civic  rights 
for  it,  and  it  became  the  permanent  capital.  It  was  burned 
by  the  buccaneers  in  1528  and  was  rebuilt  by  De  Soto,  who 
discovered  the  Mississippi,  and  he  surrounded  the  city  by 
well  constructed  fortifications.  It  was  captured  and  sacked 


Havana 


141 

by  the  pirate  Jacob  Sores  in  1556,  but  was  refortified,  and 
in  1573-1589  Philip  II.  built  the  castles,  Morro  and  LosTres 
Reyes,  which  still  exist.  In  1628  an  attack  of  the  Dutch 
fleet  was  repulsed,  and  in  1762  it  was  taken  by  the  British. 
It  was  restored  to  the  Spanish  July  18,  1763,  who  held  it 
until  December  31,  1898,  when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of 
the  United  States  as  trustee  for  the  people  of  Cuba. 

The  approach  to  Havana  from  the  sea  is  most  pleasing  to 
the  eye,  the  narrow  entrance  to  the  harbour  (one  thousand 
feet  wide)  being  flanked  on  either  side  by  castellated  forts, 
the  best  known  of  which  are  Morro  Castle  and  Cabafias, 
whose  names  are  familiar  to  all  Americans  since  the  Spanish- 
American  war.  The  harbour  is  three  miles  in  length  by  one 
and  one  half  miles  in  width,  is  naturally  very  fine  and  of 
ample  capacity  for  the  business  of  the  port ; but  the  Spanish 
authorities  have,  for  four  hundred  years  and  more,  permitted 
it  to  be  filled  with  the  filth  of  the  city  and  the  sediment  from 
various  small  streams  which  empty  into  it,  until  now  a large 
part  of  it  is  useless  for  navigable  purposes,  and  it  is  a con- 
stant source  of  ill-health  to  both  native  and  visitor.  The 
natural  depth  of  the  harbour  is  forty  feet,  but  it  has  filled 
up  to  such  an  extent  that  an  available  depth  of  only  about 
eighteen  to  twenty  feet  is  possible.  The  tide  on  the  Cuban 
coast  rises  and  falls  only  about  two  feet.  The  water-front 
of  the  bay,  comparatively  of  small  extent,  is  lined  with 
docks  and  piers,  some  of  them  built  of  iron,  and  of  the  first 
class.  Still,  the  bulk  of  the  shipping  business  is  done  by 
lighters,  and  the  harbour  is  alive  with  small  boats.  Two 
lines  of  ferry-boats  connect  Havana  with  Regia,  across  the 
harbour,  where  the  principal  coal  docks  are  situated.  The 
harbour  sea-wall,  which  is  backed  by  a wide  street  lined 
with  parks  and  fine  buildings,  gives  to  the  city  a most 
attractive  appearance  from  the  water. 

Havana  has  a fluctuating  population,  variously  estimated 
at  from  two  hundred  thousand  to  three  hundred  thousand 
souls;  at  present  it  is  probably  not  greater  than  the  former 
number.  The  people  represent  the  best  there  is  in  Cuba, 


I42 


Industrial  Cuba 


in  pointy  of  wealth,  education,  and  progress,  and  they  are 
largely  Spaniards,  either  Spanish-  or  Cuban-born.  The  city 
is  by  far  the  largest  and  richest  in  the  Island,  and  has  always 
been  to  Cuba  what  Paris  is  to  France.  The  city  is  especially 
noticeable  in  that  its  houses,  built  of  the  absorbent,  porous 
stone  of  the  Island,  are  painted  in  yellows  and  pinks  and 
greens  and  blues  and  whites,  with  a prevailing  red  in  the 
tiled  roofs.  Of  the  seventeen  or  eighteen  thousand  houses 
of  the  city,  three-fourths  are  of  one  story  and  only  about 
two  dozen  have  four  stories.  The  people  live  very  closely 
together;  the  rich  and  the  poor,  the  good  and  the  bad,  are 
strangely  huddled,  all  of  them  more  or  less  regardless  of  the 
simplest  laws  of  sanitation.  It  is  not  so  great  a wonder  that 
the  health  of  the  city  is  so  bad,  as  that  any  health  exists. 
Rents  are  high,  with  the  result  that  as  many  poor  persons 
as  possible  live  in  one  house,  and  the  moral  health  suffers  no 
less  than  the  physical.  If  any  animals  are  owned — as,  for 
example,  horses — they  find  quarters  on  the  ground  floor. 
Except  in  the  best  houses  (and  some  fine  specimens  of  ele- 
gant homes  exist  in  the  city),  modern  conveniences  are  un- 
known. Iron  bars  take  the  place  of  glass  in  the  windows 
and  doors,  and  windows  are  always  open  in  dry  weather. 
The  domestic  life  of  the  Havanese  is  an  open  book  to  all 
who  wish  to  look  upon  it  as  they  pass,  for  the  houses  open 
directly  upon  the  street,  and  the  lower  story  is  on  the  street- 
level.  Most  of  the  floors  are  laid  directly  on  the  ground, 
and  it  would  seem  as  if  the  people  did  all  in  their  power  to 
maintain  a low  degree  of  health.  All  the  good  houses 
have  marble  floors. 

Churches  are  numerous  all  over  the  city,  the  Cathedral  in 
which  the  remains  of  Columbus  are  said  to  have  reposed 
being  the  chief  in  point  of  interest.1  The  women  of  Havana 
constitute  a large  portion  of  the  congregations ; the  men 
give  little  attention  to  church  attendance. 

' It  is  not  certain  that  the  remains  of  Columbus  were  in  this  Cathedral  at  the 
time  of  the  supposed  removal  that  lately  took  place  ; there  are  strong  reasons 
to  believe  that  his  body  is  still  at  San  Domingo. 


Havana 


i43 


The  Government  buildings  are  numerous,  but  neither 
modern  nor  beautiful.  The  cigar  factories  and  tobacco 
warehouses  are  commodious  structures;  indeed,  some  of  the 
former  occupy  what  were  at  one  time  official  or  private 
palaces.  The  retail  stores  are  usually  small  places,  with 
the  stocks  of  goods  mostly  in  the  windows. 

There  are  numerous  parks.  The  Parque  Central,  the  first 
in  importance,  is  the  fashionable  centre  of  the  city.  About 
it  are  hotels,  theatres,  public  buildings,  and  caffis;  a band 
plays  there  during  certain  evenings,  and  at  night  it  is  a blaze 
of  light  and  alive  with  promenaders.  The  streets  in  old 
Havana,  that  portion  originally  within  the  walls,  are  very 
narrow;  often  the  sidewalks  are  not  wider  than  two  feet, 
and  sometimes  they  are  entirely  lacking.  In  the  newer 
portions  of  the  city  the  streets  are  thirty-three  feet  wide, 
with  five-foot  sidewalks.  Some  of  the  streets  are  paved 
with  blocks  of  stone  in  poor  fashion,  and  some  are  dirt  roads 
which  are  almost  impassable  in  the  wet  season.  Naturally, 
this  condition  of  the  streets  does  not  improve  the  public 
health.  Some  effort  was  making  when  the  war  began, 
looking  to  street  improvement,  and  contracts  were  let  to  an 
American  firm;  but  the  war  stopped  all  operations  in  that 
direction.  The  handsomest  street  in  Havana  is  the  Cerro, 
running  up  the  hill  back  of  the  city,  and  lined  with  hand- 
some villas  in  grounds  and  gardens  of  tropical  loveliness. 
Here  many  of  the  aristocracy  reside.  Another  fine  public 
promenade-street  is  the  Prado,  which  follows,  as  nearly  as 
may  be,  the  line  of  the  old  walls.  The  Prado,  and  the 
Paseo  de  Tacon,  are  the  Champs  £lys6es  of  Havana,  and 
on  many  nights  the  former  is  as  brilliant  as  that  famed 
Parisian  promenade. 

Havana  lies  so  low  that  a wind  tide  will  inundate  the 
streets  near  the  water;  and  as  much  of  that  portion  of  the 
city  is  built  on  made-ground,  the  material  being  of  the  worst 
sort  of  refuse,  it  is  scarcely  to  be  expected  that  health  will 
abound.  Owing  to  the  narrowness  of  the  streets,  the  possi- 
bilities for  street-railway  building  are  small,  although  there 


H4 


Industrial  Cuba 


are  twenty-seven  miles  of  track  in  the  city,  with  cars  run 
by  horse  power;  in  the  suburbs  by  steam  dummies. 
The  field  for  development  in  this  line  presents  especial 
attractions  for  American  capital,  and  the  future  promises 
much.  The  cab  system  of  Havana  was  unusually  good  be- 
fore the  war.  At  that  time  there  were  six  thousand  public 
vehicles,  with  a maximum  fare  of  twenty  cents,  and  many 
■were  so  cheap  that  labouring  people  could  afford  to  use 
them  as  street-cars  are  used  in  this  country.  The  volante, 
once  the  national  vehicle  of  Cuba,  has  been  relegated  to  the 
rougher  roads  of  the  country  districts.  There  is  also  a ’bus 
line,  doing  about  three  times  the  business  of  the  street-cars. 

The  sewerage  system  is  in  a deplorable  condition,  and  the 
last  effort  made  to  improve  it  was  stopped  by  the  war. 
What  should  be  done  is  a problem  to  be  solved  by  Ameri- 
can engineers,  and  had  Colonel  Waring,  of  New  York,  not 
fallen  a victim  to  Havanese  filth,  he  would  no  doubt  have 
done  for  the  city  what  Spain  in  all  her  years  of  possession 
failed  to  do.  The  task  is  now  upon  the  shoulders  of  Gen- 
eral Ludlow,  whose  efficiency  is  beyond  question.  The  city  is 
lighted  by  gas  and  electricity,  the  works  being  operated  by  a 
Spanish-American  company,  controlled  from  New  York  City. 

The  water  supply  of  the  city  has  been  excellent  since  the 
new  aqueduct  was  completed,  in  1893,  after  thirty-two  years 
of  delay.  The  water  is  gathered  from  about  four  hundred 
springs  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Vento,  ten  miles  from  the 
cit}  ; it  is  calculated  that  they  will  yield  nearly  forty  millions 
of  gallons  every  twenty-four  hours.  The  aqueduct,  tunnel, 
and  receiving  basin  cost  $3,500,000.  The  reservoirs,  four 
miles  from  the  city,  with  a capacity  of  eight  millions  of 
gallons,  cost  $566,486,  and  the  laying  of  pipes,  etc.,  $1,566,- 
374,  or  a total  of  over  $5,000,000.  The  works  are  owned 
by  the  city. 

The  telephone  system,  owned  by  the  Government,  is 
leased  to  the  Red  Telefonica  de  la  Habafia,  and  had,  pre- 
vious to  the  war,  twenty-one  miles  of  line  and  fifteen  hun- 
dred subscribers. 


Havana 


i45 


Two  companies  comprise  the  fire  department  of  the  city, 
and  these  are  of  the  old-style  “ volunteer  ” variety.  One 
of  the  companies  is  supported  by  the  city,  the  other  by 
private  enterprise.  Fires  are  rare  and  seldom  extensive,  the 
annual  losses  not  aggregating  half  a million  dollars,  and 
insurance  companies  find  Havana  risks  most  desirable. 

The  death-rate  of  Havana  is  about  33  per  1000,  a figure 
25  per  cent,  in  excess  of  the  majority  of  American  cities. 
In  one  year  (1893)  there  were  6610  deaths  to  4175  births, 
showing  a loss  in  population  of  2435.  While  yellow  fever 
and  diseases  due  to  lack  of  sanitation  are  the  chief  causes 
of  death,  it  is  noticeable  that  20  per  cent,  of  the  deaths  are 
due  to  consumption,  a disease  not  generally  understood  to 
prevail  in  the  soft  air  of  the  tropics.  The  proportion  of 
illegitimacy,  which  is  147  per  1000  births  in  Austria,  the 
leading  European  country  in  this  regard,  is  over  250  in 
Havana  among  the  whites.  What  it  is  among  the  blacks  is 
unknown. 

There  are  120  tobacco  manufactories  of  the  first  class  in 
the  city,  and  many  of  lesser  rank,  and  thousands  of  people 
find  employment  in  them.  Some  of  the  larger  factories 
employ  between  400  and  500  hands  each.  The  shipments  of 
cigars  from  Havana  from  1888  to  1896  reached  the  enormous 
total  of  1,615,720,000;  the  United  States  taking  739,162,- 
000,  or  somewhat  less  than  half.  Owing  to  the  heavy  tariff, 
the  shipments  decreased  from  188,750,000  in  1888  to  60,- 
000,000  in  1896  and  for  several  years  previously.  Ninety- 
nine  per  cent,  of  the  Cuban  cigars  received  in  the  United 
States  come  from  Havana. 

Havana  easily  leads  the  other  seaports  of  the  Island  in 
commerce,  about  one-third  of  all  the  shipments  from  the 
Island  coming  from  that  port.  An  average  of  1200  vessels 
a year  clear  from  the  port,  with  an  aggregate  tonnage  of 
over  1,500,000.  In  1894,  1309  foreign  vessels  entered  the 
port,  having  a tonnage  of  1,794, 597  tons. 

Commercially,  Havana  occupies  a most  important  posi- 
tion, and  when  by  the  adoption  of  modern  ideas  in  all  mat- 

ZO 


146 


Industrial  Cuba 


ters  of  progress  she  has  regenerated  herself,  cleansed  herself, 
rejuvenated  herself,  there  is  no  doubt  that  she  will  take  her 
place  among  the  rich  and  powerful  cities  of  the  world. 

The  Botanical  Gardens  are  situated  on  the  Paseo  de  Carlos 
III.,  next  to  the  Captain-General’s  estate.  They  were 
originally  intended  for  giving  practical  lessons  in  botany  to 
the  students  of  the  University  of  Havana;  but  there  was  so 
much  disorder  during  these  lessons  that  they  had  to  be 
suppressed.  These  gardens  are  on  one  of  the  most  beauti- 
ful places  in  the  outskirts  of  Havana  and  have  been  com- 
paratively well  kept.  Some  ten  years  ago  a stone  and  iron 
wall  that  had  surrounded  the  Campo  de  Marte  was  removed 
from  there  and  placed  around  the  Botanical  Gardens.  If 
the  Spanish  Government  had  attended  to  the  cultivation 
and  preservation  of  tropical  plants  and  fruits  in  the  way 
that  has  been  done  in  the  British  colonies,  especially  in 
Jamaica,  these  gardens  would  be  to-day  of  the  greatest 
utility;  but  with  the  characteristic  slackness  that  they  have 
shown  in  all  the  branches  of  administration  of  public  affairs 
they  have  neglected  botany,  and,  from  a scientific  point  of 
view,  the  gardens  are  of  little  or  no  value.  Probably  a 
scientist  could  find  in  some  of  the  gardens  for  the  cultivation 
and  sale  of  flowers  just  as  valuable  material  as  he  could 
here.  Let  us  hope  that  under  the  new  regime  the  necessity 
of  studying  the  tropical  flora  will  be  realised. 

Education  in  Havana  and  in  all  Cuba  is  in  a very  prim- 
itive condition — old-fashioned,  theoretical  systems  are  gen- 
eral, and  the  lack  of  practical  applications  of  the  different 
subjects  taught  is  greatly  felt.  This  difficulty  is  mainly  due 
to  the  fact  that  the  Government  has  hitherto  controlled 
education  in  all  its  branches,  and,  far  from  applying  to  its 
improvement  the  receipts  from  other  sources,  it  has  at- 
tempted to  arrange  matters  in  such  a way  that  the  bulk  of 
the  expense  should  be  borne  by  a portion  of  those  receiving 
instruction.  In  the  last  Cuban  budget  the  revenue  from 
matriculation  fees  alone  reached  $90,000.  These  fees  are 
paid  by  students  of  all  schools  which  are  not  free.  If  to 


HAVANA,  FROM  ACROSS  THE  BAY. 


Havana 


i47 


this  the  other  items,  as,  for  example,  “ examination  fees  ” 
and  “ inscription  of  certificates,”  are  added,  the  receipts 
will  probably  reach  $150,000,  nearly  twro-thirds  of  the  total 
sum  of  $247,000  yearly  appropriated  for  public  instruction 
in  the  same  budget. 

Under  Spanish  Government  control  all  teaching  is  divided 
into  three  classes:  first,  or  primary  instruction;  second,  or 
elementary  instruction;  and  professions.  To  follow  these 
courses,  a student  must  have  matriculated  and  passed  the 
examinations  of  the  preceding  ones,  either  in  Spain  or  a 
Spanish  Government  college,  no  foreign  titles  being  re- 
spected. There  is  only  one  examination  required  to  pass 
from  first  to  second  instruction ; the  third  instruction,  how- 
ever, is  a five  years’  course,  divided  as  follows: 

First  year:  Latin  and  Spanish  grammar,  geography. 

Second  year:  Latin  and  Spanish  grammar,  Spanish  history. 
Third  year:  Arithmetic  and  algebra,  universal  history, 
rhetoric,  French,  English,  or  German. 
Fourth  year:  Geometry  and  trigonometry,  philosophy 
(logic,  ethics,  and  psychology),  and  lan- 
guages (French,  English,  or  German). 

Fifth  year:  Physics,  chemistry,  natural  history,  agriculture, 
physiology. 

After  being  examined  in  these  each  year,  the  student 
passes  the  Bachelor  of  Arts  examination,  which  consists  of 
two  oral  exercises  on  the  subjects  he  has  studied  during  the 
previous  five  years.  To  enter  the  professional  courses  at 
the  University  a candidate  must  show  the  title  of  A.B. 

It  must  be  said  to  the  honour  of  some  schools,  that,  al- 
though they  have  been  bound  to  follow  the  plan  of  studies 
ordered  by  the  Government,  they  have  not  confined  them- 
selves to  it  strictly,  and  other  courses  have  been  taught  in 
them  in  addition.  The  best  schools  in  Havana  are  the 
Jesuits’,  the  Pious  schools,  and  one  or  two  others  of  a 
smaller  number  of  students.  There  is  a class  of  cheap  day- 
schools  both  in  the  city  of  Havana  and  throughout  the 
Island  which  is  very  objectionable;  the  instruction  given  is 


148 


Industrial  Cuba 


very  bad  and  the  children  are  so  neglected  that  they  acquire 
in  a very  short  period  of  time  a number  of  vicious  habits 
and  lose  all  idea  of  morality  and  self-respect.  Cuban  child- 
ren are  generally  gifted  with  remarkable  memories,  and 
this  is  taken  advantage  of  by  some  of  their  teachers,  who 
cram  their  heads  with  stuff  which  they  cannot  understand 
and  which  consequently  proves  utterly  useless  to  them. 

The  University  of  Havana  is  established  in  the  old  con- 
vent of  Saint  Dominic  in  the  centre  of  the  city,  facing  the 
back  of  the  Governor  s Palace.  The  building  is  over  three 
hundred  years  old  and  is  a typical  specimen  of  the  old 
Spanish  monastical  architecture ; the  quadrangles  are  sur- 
rounded by  arched  cloisters,  the  stone  steps  are  long  and 
wide,  and  the  walls  are  six  feet  thick  of  solid  masonry.  All 
the  mortar  on  the  outer  wall  has  long  since  fallen  off,  and 
the  building  has  more  the  aspect  of  an  old-fashioned 
fortress  than  of  a peaceful  temple  of  contemplation  and 
learning. 

When  the  old  Dominicans  owned  the  convent  they  in- 
stituted a free  school  for  children,  and  as  the  requirements 
of  the  city  became  more  pressing  they  extended  their 
teaching  to  other  and  higher  branches  of  learning,  among 
which  the  study  of  law,  medicine,  and  philosophy  was  in- 
cluded. They  also  had  an  annex  school  for  special  instruc- 
tion. 

At  present  the  lectures  are  given  by  graduates  of  Spanish 
universities  who  have  taken  the  degree  of  Doctor  in  the 
course  they  may  have  followed.  The  number  of  students, 
in  some  years,  has  reached  two  thousand.  None  of  them 
sleep  in  the  building.  To  be  a professor  it  is  necessary 
either  to  have  acquired  distinction  in  the  vacant  chair  of  the 
special  profession,  or  to  be  the  best  in  a public  contest 
against  all  the  others  aspiring  to  the  chair,  or  to  be 
appointed  by  the  Crown. 

The  students  of  the  Havana  University  wear  no  caps  and 
gowns,  but  the  professors  on  every  official  occasion  appear 
in  their  “ togas  ” and  caps,  which  are  black,  with  tassels, 


Havana 


1 49 


lining,  and  cuffs  of  the  colour  of  their  respective  facul- 
ties. Medicine  is  yellow,  Law  is  red,  Science  is  dark 
blue,  Philosophy  and  Letters,  light  blue,  Pharmacy,  purple, 
and  so  on. 

In  spite  of  strict  orders  from  the  rectors  and  professors 
and  covert  threats  from  the  Spanish  Government  officers, 
no  student  has  attended  lectures  on  the  27th  of  November 
since  1871,  when  seven  students  were  unjustly  accused  by 
the  Spanish  Volunteers  of  having  desecrated  the  tomb  of  a 
patriot.  It  was  in  vain  that  a brave  Spanish  officer,  called 
Capdevilla,  showed  that  the  scratches  on  the  glass  of  the 
coffin  were  covered  with  moss:  all  he  succeeded  in  doing 
was  to  provoke  the  Volunteers,  who  did  their  best  to  kill 
him,  and  to  spoil  his  career;  he  lived  twenty-seven  years 
more  and  was  never  promoted.  He  died  in  Santiago. 
The  students  were  executed  two  days  after  their  arrest. 
When  the  son  of  the  man  whose  tomb  had  been  the  cause 
of  so  much  villainy  went  to  Cuba  for  his  father’s  remains, 
twenty  years  after  that  event,  a notary  public  attended  the 
ceremony  and  the  son  was  a witness  to  the  declaration  that 
all  was  in  exactly  the  same  condition  as  at  the  time  of  the 
burial.  A monument  was  erected  to  the  memory  of  the 
students  after  the  Spanish  Cortes  had  declared  that  they  had 
been  innocent  of  the  charge  that  had  been  brought  against 
them.  There  is  a significant  statue  of  a blindfold  woman 
with  broken  scales  in  her  hand  on  one  side  of  the  monument 
whilst  History  on  the  other  side  appears  recording. 

After  this  disgraceful  act  it  is  not  surprising  that  the 
students  of  Havana  University  furnished  such  a ready  con- 
tingent to  the  ranks  of  the  rebellion. 

When  in  Havana  last  September  the  author,  accompanied 
by  Admiral  Sampson,  paid  a visit  to  the  Boys’  Technical 
School.  It  was  just  starting  up  again  after  the  blockade, 
and  though  there  were  not  many  scholars,  the  opportunity 
was  afforded  to  observe  the  possibilities  of  this  admirable 
institution.  Many  specimens  of  the  boys’  work  were  given 
to  the  author,  and  on  returning  to  the  United  States  some  of 


Industrial  Cuba 


150 

them  were  shown  the  President,  who  expressed  gratification 
at  these  signs  of  industrial  life  and  a hope  that  the  school 
would  be  provided  for  in  the  new  budget  of  the  Island. 
The  Havana  Provincial  School  of  Arts  and  Trades  is  an  in- 
stitution for  the  promotion  of  technical  knowledge  among 
workmen  and  the  training  of  youths  (preferably  artisans’ 
sons)  in  the  theories  and  practice  of  trades.  It  is  maintained 
at  the  expense  of  the  Deputation  of  the  Province  of  Havana. 

The  first  courses  given  in  this  school  commenced  in  1882. 
In  1889,  thanks  to  the  efforts  of  its  founder,  Don  Fernando 
Aguado  y Rico  and  some  zealous  assistants,  some  shops 
were  added  to  the  school.  They  succeeded  in  having  an 
increase  allowed  in  the  appropriation  voted  by  the  Pro- 
vincial Deputation.  The  present  cost  of  the  school  is 
$*6,350  a year.  This  school  is  absolutely  a free  school. 
The  instruction  is  divided  into  day  courses  and  night 
courses.  In  view  of  its  limited  resources,  to  provide  for 
boarders  in  the  institution  has,  thus  far,  been  impossible, 
consequently  all  the  pupils  are  day  scholars.  A good  deal 
may  be  said  of  Mr.  Aguado’s  work  in  this  school.  It 
is  to  be  regretted  that,  like  so  many  others  who  work  for 
the  public  good,  the  results  should  not  correspond  to  the 
labour.  He  conceived  the  idea  of  creating  this  school  a few 
years  after  graduating  from  the  University  of  Havana.  After 
several  unsuccessful  attempts  he  managed  to  start  his  enter- 
prise, and  since  then  the  improvement  of  the  instruction  and 
the  general  welfare  of  its  scholars  have  been  the  main  object 
of  his  life.  The  acquisition  of  a lot  of  ground  and  the 
building  of  a suitable  house  for  the  shops  for  mechanical 
training  have  been  the  most  important  steps  taken  since  the 
foundation.  The  new  building  is  outside  the  city  and  is 
high  and  airy.  Part  of  the  ground  purchased  will  have  a 
building  erected  for  an  agricultural  and  industrial  museum. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  this  school,  which  is  the  only 
one  of  its  class  in  Cuba,  should  furnish  accommodation  for 
only  the  limited  number  of  491  pupils.  A city  of  250,000 
inhabitants,  like  Havana,  should  be  able  to  provide  more 


THE  PRADO,  HAVANA. 


Havana 


151 

for  this  object.  It  is  to  be  remarked  that,  out  of  the  num- 
ber mentioned,  as  many  as  316  take  night  courses. 

There  is  perhaps  no  branch  of  instruction  that  may  lead 
to  such  important  developments  in  Cuba  as  the  training  of 
her  youths  in  the  mechanical  trades;  the  want  has  been  felt 
for  a long  time,  and  with  the  only  exception  of  this  school 
no  efforts  have  been  made  to  alleviate  it.  The  Cuban, 
being  naturally  quick,  makes  a good  mechanic,  but  unless 
he  is  trained  to  his  work  and  has  some  knowledge  of  tech- 
nicalities he  can  never  reach  the  degree  of  skill  which  the 
modern  mechanic  requires  to  master  his  trade.  However 
bright  a man  may  be  he  can  never  acquire  perfection  in  any 
branch  of  industry  if  he  confines  himself  to  the  results  of 
individual  practice  and  personal  observation.  In  a place 
like  Cuba,  where  the  wealth  and  prosperity  of  the  country 
depend  materially  on  one  industry  like  the  sugar  industry, 
which  is  worked  with  huge  machinery,  there  is  no  excuse 
for  bringing  over  every  year  foreign  engineers  and  mechanics 
to  oversee  any  important  repairs  that  may  be  necessary,  or 
to  erect  new  plants.  One  would  expect  that  being  con- 
stantly on  the  ground,  seeing  daily  the  working  of  this 
machinery,  those  interested  would  acquire  such  complete 
mastery  of  the  processes  that,  far  from  having  to  depend 
on  outsiders,  they  would  be  making  and  suggesting  improve- 
ments. The  explanation  is,  as  has  been  stated,  merely  the 
want  of  technical  knowledge;  give  the  Cubans  complete 
mechanical  instruction,  technical  and  practical,  and  tangible 
results  will  be  seen  in  a remarkably  short  period.  Let  us 
hope  that  Mr.  Aguado  will  continue  working  with  the  zeal 
and  ardour  that  he  has  shown  heretofore,  and  that  ere  long 
he  may  enjoy  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  his  work  completed 
in  a way  that  may  exceed  his  most  sanguine  expectations. 

Havana  feels  the  want  of  good  hotels.  There  are  some 
where  a certain  degree  of  comfort  may  be  had  by  paying 
high  prices,  but  even  then  it  falls  short  of  what  can  be  ob- 
tained in  other  places  at  very  much  lower  rates.  Travellers 
in  Cuba  have  to  be  satisfied  with  taking  what  they  can  get 


152 


Industrial  Cuba 


,n ,th‘S  respect-  as  among  those  of  so-called  first-class  stand- 
ard there  is  little  difference  between  one  hotel  and  another. 
/ nybody  who  has  been  in  Havana  during  the  winter  months 
can  have  no  doubt  how  profitable  an  investment  would 
be  an  hotel  on  American  lines.  As  every  steamer  arrives 
there  is  a rush  for  rooms  most  uncomfortable  for  travellers 
to  say  nothing  of  their  disappointment  after  they  have  suc- 
ceeded in  securing  what,  judging  by  the  rate,  they  expect 
to  find  an  unusually  fine  apartment,  and  which  actually  turns 
out  to  be  a small  whitewashed  den,  with  very  second-rate 
furniture  and  an  iron  bed.  No  curtains,  no  carpets,  and 
bare  walls  The  most  frequented  are  the  Inglaterra  and 
Pasaje  hotels.  Besides  these,  there  is  the  Louvre,  which, 
though  much  smaller  than  the  other  two,  is  beyond  com- 
parison more  comfortable  and  better  furnished 

There  are  several  theatres  in  Havana.  The  Tacon,  now 

owned  by  American  capitalists,  is  the  third  largest  in  the 
world.  & 

The  Church  of  the  Merced  (Mercy)  is  the  most  fashion- 
able in  the  city.  The  Belen  (J esuit)  is  the  most  frequented 

has,  connected  with  it,  a school,  a laboratory,  an  observ- 
atory  and  a museum  of  natural  history.  More  men  go  to 
the  Church  of  Santo  Domingo  than  to  any  other  because 
more  pretty  women  go  there. 

Fine  suburbs  of  hill  and  seashore  hedge  Havana  in. 
Notable  among  these  are  Jesus  del  Monte,  the  highest 
point,  220  feet;  Cerro,  Chorreta  Vedado  (beautiful  and 
fashionable),  Marianao,  eight  miles  out;  Regia,  across 
the  harbour,  famed  for  its  bull-ring  and  large  sugar  ware- 
ouses;  Guanabacoa,  Casa  Blanco,  Playa  de  Marianao 
(seashore) ; La  Cienaga,  Puertos  Grandes,  and  others  of  less 
importance.  These  places  are  of  varying  quality,  from  the 
very  fashionable  to  the  kind  which  exist  because  existence 
there  is  cheaper  than  in  the  city.  The  roads  {calzadas) 
leading  out  of  Havana  are,  as  a rule,  good,  though,  owing 
to  the  war,  some  are  just  now  in  bad  repair. 

Weather  observations  have  been  made  in  Havana  since 


Havana 


i53 


1859.  The  rainy  season  continues  from  June  to  Novem- 
ber; the  rest  of  the  year  is  dry,  although  about  one-third  of 
the  rainfall  of  the  year  comes  in  the  dry  season.  The  aver- 
age rainfall  is  about  50  inches.  The  temperature  varies 
from  64  degrees  to  85  degrees,  and  the  humidity,  which 
rarely  falls  below  75,  makes  the  heat  most  oppressive.  The 
early  morning  and  late  afternoon  and  evening  are  the  hours 
devoted  to  business  and  pleasure. 

The  Jersey  mosquito  is  a silken-winged  messenger  of 
mercy  compared  with  his  cousins  in  Havana. 

There  are  many  asylums  and  hospitals  in  the  city  which 
are  not  lacking  in  funds  or  attention,  but  they  are  all  con- 
ducted upon  antiquated'  notions,  which  greatly  lessen  their 
usefulness.  As  in  other  Catholic  cities,  Sunday  is  the 
amusement  day  of  the  week,  and  all  the  Havanese  are  out 
in  gala  attire  on  that  day  after  morning  service  at  the 
churches.  There  are  many  parks  and  promenades.  The 
Alameda,  the  Plaza  de  Armas,  the  Parque  de  Isabella,  and 
the  Prado  are  the  chief  places  of  resort. 


CHAPTER  XI 

COLONEL  VVARING’S  SANITARY  REPORT 

WHEN  in  October,  1898,  the  late  Colonel  George  E. 

Waring,  of  New  York  City,  who  had  been  sent  by 
the  Government  to  investigate  the  physical  condition  of 
Havana,  became  the  victim  of  the  monster  he  had  sought 
to  throttle,  he  had  already  written  a large  portion  of  his 
report,  and  he  left  copious  notes  for  the  completion  of  it, 
from  which  his  efficient  secretary  and  assistant,  Mr.  G. 
Everett  Hill,  prepared  a full  report.  From  this  report  the 
following  extracts  are  made: 

The  death-rate  of  the  city  has  always  been  high.  In  five 
years  (not  consecutive)  between  1800  and  1819,  with  a popu- 
lation less  than  one-third  of  the  present  number  of  inhabit- 
ants, 26,576  people  perished  from  yellow  fever  alone.  In 
1832  the  cholera  killed  10,000.  The  official  reports  of  the 
Spanish  garrison  show  that  up  to  January  16,  1896,  more 
than  82  per  cent,  of  the  total  losses  were  due  to  yellow 
fever.  In  1897  the  total  mortality  by  disease  in  the  Spanish 
army  in  Cuba  was  32,534. 

“At  present  the  death-rate  in  Havana  is  enormous.  The 

mortality  for  the  week  ending  October  6,  1898,  was  536 

an  annual  rate  of  139.36  per  cent,  per  1000.  Since  then 
owing  to  the  change  of  season  and  to  the  removal  of  certain 
contributing  causes,  it  has  fallen  to  1 14.4. 

“ The  surroundings  and  customs  of  domestic  life  are  dis- 
gusting almost  beyond  belief.  Sixteen  thousand  houses, 
out  of  a total  of  less  than  20,000,  are  but  one  story  high, 
and  at  least  90  per  cent,  of  the  population  live  in  these — 

154 


Colonel  Waring’s  Sanitary  Report  155 

averaging  say  n to  each  house.  Usually  the  house  covers 
the  entire  lot,  so  that  there  is  no  yard ; though  one  or  two 
courts  are  commonly  included  in  the  building.  According 
to  the  general — almost  the  universal — plan,  the  front  rooms 
are  used  as  parlours  or  reception  rooms.  Beyond  them  is 
a court,  on  which  open  the  dining-rooms  and  sleeping- 
rooms.  Beyond  these,  on  another  court,  are — I might  say 
is — the  ‘ kitchen,  stable,  and  privy,  practically  all  in  one.’ 

In  Colonel  Waring’s  own  words: 

‘ The  characteristic  feature  of  the  whole  establishment — per- 
haps the  only  feature  which  is  conspicuous  in  every  house  with- 
out exception — is  the  privy-vault,  and  sometimes  a second  vault 
for  kitchen  waste.  These  occupy  a space  practically  under  and 
almost  in  the  kitchen.  It  is  very  rarely,  indeed,  that  a Cuban 
privy  has  a ventilating  pipe,  so  it  belches  forth  its  nauseous  odours 
throughout  the  house  and  pervades  the  streets.’ 

“ There  is  no  ordinance — at  least  none  in  force — requiring 
a householder  to  empty  his  privy  vault.  He  uses  it  until  it 
threatens  to  overflow;  then  he  hires  a night-scavenger,  who 
comes  with  a cart,  carrying  the  requisite  number  of  barrels. 
These  are  filled  through  square  holes  at  the  top,  and  dis- 
charged through  a plugged  orifice  at  the  bottom. 

“ The  workmen  use  tub-like  ladles  with  long  handles,  with 
which  they  scoop  up  the  filth.  These  they  carry,  dripping  as  they 
go,  through  kitchen,  dining-room,  reception-room,  and  hall  to  the 
street.” 

“ When  the  barrels  are  filled,  the  cart  starts,  ostensibly  for 
the  prescribed  place  of  disposal;  but  often,  in  a dark  street, 
the  plugs  come  out,  and,  before  the  waggon  has  gone  very 
far,  the  barrels  are  empty. 

“ Lest  the  conditions  above  set  forth  should  fail  to  do  their 
appointed  work  of  destruction,  stimulus  for  their  effectiveness  is 


Industrial  Cuba 


156 


character  ^ “ eXtrane°US  S0Urce  of  malaria  °{  the  very  worst 

The  southerly  edge  of  the  harbour  is  bordered  by  broad 
marteS;  through  which  flow  a number  of  watercourses,  and  to 
winch  these  bring  the  offscouring  of  a very  poor  quarter  of  the 
town  and  especially  the  effluent  of  the  slaughtering-pens  and  of 
other  foul  establishments;  while  a large  portion  of  the  flat  is  used 
as  a dumping-ground  for  garbage. 

“ This  intimate  relation  of  marsh  and  filth  is  greatly  aggravated 

ad”“t“re  of  ,fresh  “d  **  water,  by  occasional  floods, 
and  by  a daily  scorching  sun. 

“ The  vicinity  of  such  marshes  would  be  deadly  in  this  climate 
even  to  a veritable  ‘ City  of  Hygeia.’  Their  proximity  to  this 
oul,  fever-cursed  town  has  always  been  recognised  as  disastrous 
even  by  intelligent  Habaneros  themselves.” 

The  water  supply  of  Havana  is  very  pure  and  abundant, 

more  than  two  hundred  gallons  per  head  per  day: 

This  and  the  winds  of  the  Gulf  save  the  city  from  being  ab- 
so lutely  and  unqualifiedly  bad;  but  they  are  powerless  to  make 
it  tolerable.  It  is  a veritable  plague-spot. 

ItS  °W*  PeoPle>  largely  immune  though  they  are  to  yellow 
ever,  which  has  prevailed  here  without  interruption  for  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty-eight  years,  fall  constant  victims  under  the  per- 
nicious malarial  and  depressing  influences  to  which  they  are 
a ways  subjected;  and  it  needs  only  the  immigration  of  fresh 
material,  which  the  enterprise  of  our  population  is  sure  to  bring 
ere,  to  create  a sacrifice  such  as  we  have  not  yet  known;  while 
commerce  will  carry  the  terror  and  the  terrible  scourge  of  yellow 
fever  to  our  shores,  until  we  rise  again  in  a war  of  humanity 

and  at  all  costs  wipe  out  an  enemy  with  which  no  military  valour 
can  cope. 

Can  Havana  be  purified  ? And  if  so,  will  such  purification 
result  in  the  eradication  of  yellow  fever  and  malaria  ? Both 
questions  can  be  answered  affirmatively  and  positively.  Havana 
is  no  dirtier  than  many  another  city  has  been.  In  England  in 
t ie  olden  time,  the  earthen  floors  were  strewn  with  rushes 
AVhen  these  became  sodden  with  filth  beyond  all  endurance, 
fresh  rushes  were  thrown  over  the  old  ones,  and  these  in  turn 


YARD  OF  AMERICAN  CLUB,  HAVANA. 


Colonel  Waring’s  Sanitary  Report  157 

were  buried,  until  the  foul  accumulation  was  several  feet  deep. 
Excrement  was  allowed  to  remain  in  and  around  the  houses  in- 
definitely, or  was  thrown  into  the  streets  regardless  of  conse- 
quences. In  London,  the  frequent  cry  of,  ‘ Ware  below  ! ’ 
indicated  that  the  household  slops  were  about  to  be  poured  from 
an  upper  window.  These  conditions  remained  until  repeated 
visits  of  the  great  sanitary  teachers — the  plague,  the  black  death, 
the  cholera,  and  other  pestilences,  which  devastated  cities  and 
swept  whole  villages  out  of  existence — had  taught  their  hard  les- 
son. On  the  continent  the  ignorance  and  neglect  were,  if  possi- 
ble, even  greater.  We  have  profited  by  the  bitter  experience  of 
our  ancestors;  and  no  intelligent  person  questions  the  merit  of 
sanitary  works.  But  their  true  value  is  not  yet  fully  appreciated, 
even  by  educated  men  whose  interests  are  at  stake. 

“ The  poison  of  yellow  fever  is  ponderable.  It  clings  to  low 
levels  and  usually  follows  the  lines  of  greatest  humidity.  Like 
malaria,  it  is  more  active — or  at  least  more  to  be  feared — by  night 
than  by  day.  The  danger  from  it  in  any  quarter  of  an  infected 
locality  depends  upon  the  presence  primarily  of  filth,  secondarily 
of  dampness;  and  it  increases  in  direct  proportion  to  the  confine- 
ment and  stagnation  of  the  air.  Infected  cellars  are  more 
dangerous  than  infected  rooms.  The  holds  of  ships  are  notori- 
ous hotbeds  of  the  disease. 

“ In  Havana  the  average  height  of  the  ground  floor  of  a house 
above  the  soil  is  but  six  or  seven  inches;  and  this  space  is  un- 
ventilated. The  earth  is  not  only  damp,  but  is  sodden  with 
putrefying  organic  matter.  The  houses  are  closely  built,  without 
adequate  space  for  ventilation  between  them.  In  the  poorer 
quarters  the  population  is  crowded,  a whole  family  often  occu- 
pying a single  room.  The  emanations  from  the  cesspool  and 
garbage-vault  pervade,  as  has  been  stated,  the  kitchen  and  the 
sleeping-  and  living-rooms,  even  of  houses  of  the  better  class. 
The  standard  of  personal  cleanliness  is,  necessarily,  very  low. 
These  conditions,  for  which  the  citizens  are  responsible,  are 
sufficient  in  themselves  to  transform  the  most  healthy  locality 
into  a fever-nest.  In  the  case  of  Havana,  they  are  accumulated 
by  climatic  conditions  favourable  to,  but  in  no  case  accountable 
for,  the  propagation  of  disease.  No  amount  of  rainfall,  no  high 
average  of  humidity,  and  no  degree  of  temperature  will  cause 


Industrial  Cuba 


158 

zymotic  pestilence,  if  cleanliness  be  secured  and  maintained,  and 
proper  drainage  of  the  soil  established.” 

In  the  notes  which  Colonel  Waring  brought  with  him 
from  Cuba,  the  following  improvements  are  specified  as 
absolutely  necessary  for  the  sanitary  redemption  of  Havana  : 

(1)  The  immediate  organisation  of  a Department  of 
Public  Cleaning,  “ under  the  full  control  of  a single  Com- 
missioner experienced  in  the  conduct  of  such  work,”  who 
should  have  authority  to  act  as  occasion  may  require. 

The  chief  function  of  the  Department  would  be  the 
maintenance  of  a “ constant  state  of  cleanliness  ” in  all  the 
streets  and  places  of  public  business  or  resort,  including  the 
abattoirs  and  markets.  “ It  should  also  control  the  disposal 
of  all  wastes,  except  sewage — by  cremation  and  otherwise.” 

(2)  The  construction  of  a system  of  sewers  “ to  receive 
the  liquid  wastes  of  all  houses  of  the  main  city.”  The 
topography  of  the  city  divides  it  naturally  into  several  dis- 
tricts. Each  of  these  should  be  served  by  a distinct  sewer- 
age system,  which  should  discharge  directly  into  the  harbour 
or  the  Gulf,  as  the  case  may  be.  “ Before  such  discharge, 
the  effluent  should  be  effectively  clarified  by  one  of  the 
various  well  known  methods;  so  that  it  would  carry  only 
its  dissolved  impurities.”  The  dilution  would  be  immediate 
and  more  than  sufficient;  for  the  daily  movement  of  sea 
water  into  and  out  of  the  harbour  is  about  six  thousand  times 
as  great  as  would  be  the  day’s  discharge  of  clarified  sewage 
from  the  harbour  slope  of  the  city. 

(3)  The  clearing  out  and  filling  with  clean  earth  of  all 
the  cesspools  and  garbage-vaults,  and  the  supplying  to  each 
house  of  a suitable  water-closet  connected  with  the  public 
sewer  system.  The  closets  furnished  should  be  practically 
automatic  in  operation,  and  not  liable  to  damage  from  ignor- 
ance or  carelessness.  They  should  be  made  so  that  no 
foreign  substance  able  to  cause  an  obstruction  in  the  house 
drain  or  the  sewer  could  pass  out  of  sight.  If  more  elabo- 
rate plumbing  be  desired,  this  may  be  put  in  by  the  house- 


Colonel  Waring’s  Sanitary  Report  159 

holder,  under  proper  supervision,  at  his  own  expense.  The 
immediate  installation  of  the  water-closet  in  each  house  is 
the  only  course  which  will  make  possible  the  annihilation  of 
the  cesspool;  and  Havana  will  not  be  a healthy  city  until 
this  result  is  accomplished.  The  benefit  that  will  be  gained 
when  it  is  done  is  out  of  all  proportion  to  the  insignificant 
cost  of  the  doing. 

(4)  The  paving,  or  repaving,  of  all  the  streets  with  the 
best  quality  of  asphaltum.  Some  form  of  artificial  paving 
of  the  streets  of  cities  is  indispensable.  Mr.  Edwin  Chad- 
wick says  that  between  the  two  divisions  of  a town  popu- 
lation, similarly  situated  in  general  condition,  one  part 
inhabiting  streets  which  are  unpaved  and  another  inhabiting 
streets  that  are  paved,  a difference  of  health  is  observed. 
He  cites  instances  showing  the  sanitary  benefit  resulting 
from  paving. 

Laying  aside  all  considerations  of  comfort  and  economy, 
which  in  themselves  are  sufficient  to  warrant  its  construc- 
tion, asphaltum  is  the  best  paving  material  from  a hygienic 
standpoint.  Being  a monolithic  sheet  it  is  impervious  alike 
to  the  rise  of  exhalations  from  the  earth  and  the  soakage  of 
liquids  into  the  earth.  It  is  easily  cleaned  ; and,  as  it  can 
be  cleaned  without  sprinkling,  it  can  be  cleaned  dry.  At 
intervals  it  can  be  thoroughly  washed  with  a hose,  and  all 
surplus  water  removed  immediately  with  a squeegee.  The 
absence  of  dust  and  the  minimising  of  noise  are  hygienic 
benefits  of  secondary  degree. 

(5)  The  erection  of  a new  abattoir,  adequate  to  all  the 
needs  of  the  population,  and  furnished  with  modern  appli- 
ances for  the  inoffensive  utilisation  of  the  entire  animal,  so 
that  no  refuse  remains  to  be  got  rid  of. 

(6)  The  construction  of  “ a suitable  and  sufficient  in- 
cinerating furnace,  for  the  complete  and  inoffensive  destruc- 
tion of  garbage  and  other  refuse,”  including  dead  animals, 
street  sweepings,  mattresses,  discarded  clothing,  rags,  ex- 
celsior, paper,  and  similar  substances,  which  might  serve  as 
vehicles  of  contagion.  The  experiments  made  by  Colonel 


i6o 


Industrial  Cuba 


Waring  while  Street  Cleaning  Commissioner  of  New  York, 
indicated  that  such  a furnace  may  produce  steam  in  quanti- 
ties large  enough  to  be  valuable. 

(7)  The  reclamation  and  drainage  of  all  the  marshes,  or 
at  least  of  those  bordering  on  the  harbour  on  the  south  and 
west.  “ This  reclamation  to  be  made  after  the  ‘ Polder’ 
method  of  Holland— by  diking  out  the  harbour  and  the 
watercourses  and  removing  the  water  by  pumping.” 

(8)  The  establishment  of  a “ power-plant  sufficient  for 
this  pumping,  for  pumping  sewage  where  necessary,  and  for 
propelling  the  machinery  of  the  abattoir.” 

In  concluding  his  paper,  Mr.  Hill  says: 

It  may  seem  strange  that  no  reference  has  been  made  to  the 
dredging  of  the  harbour  so  urgently  advocated  by  some  advisers 

or  to  any  improvement  of  it,  save  such  as  would  be  effected  by 
the  withholding  of  solid  organic  matters  from  the  abattoir,  sewage, 
and  dumping  grounds,  and  by  the  construction  of  the  dikes  at  its 
southern  end.  As  has  been  said,  the  tidal  flow  is  more  than 
sufficient  to  effect  the  purification  of  the  clarified  sewage,  which 
Colonel  Waring  proposed  to  empty  into  the  harbour.  So  long 
as  solid  wastes  are  withheld,  its  surplus  oxidizing  power  will 
gradually  destroy  the  accumulation  of  putrescible  material. 

1 o dredge  the  harbour  now  would  be  dangerous  work;  for  it 
would  stir  up  and  expose  to  the  air  vast  quantities  of  putrid  filth. 
Later,  if  Colonel  Uarings  recommendations  should  be  carried 
out,  it  would  mean  only  the  removal  of  innocuous  mud.  Navi- 
gation is  not  yet  impeded  by  the  deposits;  and  the  rate  at  which 
the  harbour  is  silting  up — one-third  of  one  per  cent,  per  year — 
makes  it  evident  that  a delay  of  even  ten  years  would  not  be  in- 
jurious to  commerce.  Long  before  this  time  has  elapsed  the 
harbour  should  be  clean. 

“ Havana  can  be  freed  from  her  curse.  The  price  of  her  free- 
dom is  about  $10,000,000.  Can  the  United  States  afford  to  re- 
deem her  ? For  once  humanity,  patriotism,  and  self-interest 
should  be  unanimous,  and  their  answer  should  be,  Yes!  ” 

General  Greene,  U.S.A.,  has  submitted  an  extended  re- 
port on  the  city  s condition.  General  Greene  notes  that 


Colonel  Waring’s  Sanitary  Report  161 

about  sixty  per  cent,  of  the  street  surface  is  not  paved,  and 
that  which  is  paved  is  in  very  poor  condition.  In  some 
streets  are  small  drains,  connecting  by  gratings  with  the 
gutters,  but  no  official  record  is  kept  of  them,  and  no  city 
plat  shows  whither  they  go,  but  as  in  Havana  all  sewers 
lead  to  the  bay,  it  is  supposed  that  is  their  destination. 
Some  few  private  houses  have  their  own  sewers,  but  no 
official  knows  anything  further  than  that  permits  were 
granted  to  build  them  and  they  are  never  cleaned.  In  parts 
of  the  city  a drain  two  feet  deep  and  two  feet  wide,  covered 
or  uncovered,  runs  alongside  of  the  streets  and  into  these 
all  manner  of  ill-smelling  and  nasty  refuse  is  dumped  and 
left  to  wash  away  by  the  rain  or  to  rot  in  the  sun.  For 
four  years  previous  to  the  war  the  authorities  had  been 
considering  an  elaborate  plan  of  street  improvement  and 
sewerage  system,  submitted  by  an  American  contractor, 
but  no  action  had  been  taken.  The  estimated  cost  was 
$7,000,000. 

For  three  hundred  years  or  more  house  drainage  has  been 
discharged  into  cesspools,  varying  in  size  from  three  to  ten 
feet  in  diameter,  and  from  four  to  eight  feet  deep,  closed  at 
the  top  with  a stone.  While  rules  for  taking  proper  care 
of  these  cesspools  are  plenty,  enforcement  of  them  is  so 
neglected  that  some  of  them  have  not  been  cleaned  in  five 
years.  They  are  not  cemented  inside  and  they  drain  off 
into  the  soil  and  rock,  infecting  everything  in  reach. 

The  paved  streets  (surface)  are  cleaned  by  contract,  by 
methods  prevailing  in  this  country  twenty-five  years  ago, 
and  the  work  is  fairly  well  done.  The  cleanings  are  carried 
eight  miles  from  the  city,  where  they  are  dumped  and  left 
on  the  ground,  and  the  condition  there  is  fearful.  During 
the  blockade  the  authorities  ordered  the  cleanings  to  be 
dumped  into  the  marsh  near  the  Christina  Street  station, 
and  here  in  the  wet  soil  they  remain,  a dangerous  menace 
to  health.  The  thousands  of  reconcentrados  and  soldiers  in 
the  city  used  the  unpaved  streets  as  open  privies,  and  when 
the  Americans  went  into  the  city  they  found  these  streets 

XI 


162 


Industrial  Cuba 


utterly  noxious  and  foul,  and  set  to  work  at  once  to  clean 
them,  the  street-cleaning  contractor  being  permitted  to  con- 
tinue his  work  on  the  paved  streets. 

I here  is  but  one  slaughter-house  in  the  city  and  it  is 
owned  by  the  municipality.  It  is  mortgaged,  like  other 
city  properties,  to  the  Spanish  Bank.  From  three  hundred 
to  four  hundred  cattle  are  killed  daily,  and  the  offal,  which 
might  easily  be  saved,  and  is,  in  American  slaughter-houses, 
is  dumped  into  Chavez  Creek,  where  it  is  left  to  rot  in  the 
sun.  The  construction  of  a new  building  in  a different 
locality  has  been  long  discussed,  but  opposition  has  been 
made  to  it,  and  nothing  has  been  done.  In  the  meantime 
the  dumping  continues  in  Chavez  Creek. 

The  military  hospitals  have  not  yet  been  examined.  Of 
the  nine  city  hospitals,  asylums,  and  homes  examined  by 
Surgeon  Davis,  three  were  in  fairly  good  condition,  two  in 
bad  condition,  and  four  are  most  deplorable.  Some  of  the 
houses  are  overcrowded  and  the  inmates  half  starved.  These 
hospitals  can  be  put  in  good  condition  very  soon. 

The  two  principal  markets,  the  Colon  and  the  Tacon,  are 
owned  by  the  city  and  mortgaged  to  the  Spanish  Bank. 
Their  sanitary  condition  is  bad  as  it  can  be,  but  it  can  be 
remedied  easily  and  quickly. 

An  elaborate  code  of  Health  Regulations,  a volume  of 
fifty  pages,  exists,  but  it  is  seldom  or  never  referred  to  or 
its  provisions  carried  out.  Dairies  prevail  in  many  parts  of 
the  city,  where  twenty  to  thirty  cows  are  kept  in  stalls 
in  the  same  house  where  human  beings  live;  livery  stables 
are  located  in  the  most  thickly  settled  parts  of  the  city; 
dead  dogs,  cats,  and  other  animals  are  left  in  the  open 
streets  for  weeks;  slops,  filth,  and  night  soil  are  thrown  out 
of  the  windows  and  doors  on  the  streets  in  the  poorer  local- 
ities, and  no  kind  of  regard  is  paid  to  health  regulations  of 
any  kind. 

1 he  condition  of  the  harbour  is  gone  into  at  length,  one 
new  fact  being  noted,  to  wit:  that  the  water  is  so  foul  that 
the  bottom  cannot  be  seen  two  feet  below  the  surface,  while 


Colonel  Waring’s  Sanitary  Report  163 

at  Marianao,  eight  miles  away,  the  bottom  at  twenty  feet 
is  plainly  visible. 

Both  General  Greene  and  Surgeon  Davis  are  of  the  opinion 
that  the  harbour  is  not  such  a menace  to  health  as  are  the 
cesspools,  slaughter-house,  and  general  filth  of  the  city, 
and  that  it  should  come  last  in  the  cleaning  process. 

In  recapitulation,  General  Greene  says: 

“ From  the  foregoing  it  is  apparent  that  the  first  steps  toward 
sanitation  are  the  improvement  of  the  slaughter-house,  the  clean- 
ing of  cesspools,  the  inauguration  of  a proper  system  of  street 
cleaning,  and  the  devising  and  rigid  enforcement  of  health  regu- 
lations. I have  therefore  advised  that  immediately  on  taking 
possession  of  the  city  government  a board  be  appointed,  consist- 
ing of  three  army  surgeons  and  two  civilians — one  from  New 
York  and  one  from  Chicago — of  long  experience  on  the  Health 
Boards  in  those  cities;  that  this  board  study  the  sanitary  con- 
ditions of  the  city  and  draw  up  a new  code  of  sanitary  regula- 
tions, including  the  management  of  the  hospitals;  and  that  this 
code  be  rigidly  enforced  by  the  new  city  police,  assisted  by  such 
number  of  sanitary  inspectors  as  may  prove  to  be  necessary.  In 
this  manner  I believe  that  the  sanitary  conditions  can  be  im- 
proved and  the  death-rate  enormously  reduced  before  the  next 
rainy  season  sets  in.  The  death-rate  in  October  last  was  at  the 
rate  of  133  per  1000  per  annum;  in  December  it  had  been  re- 
duced to  106,  and  with  only  two  deaths  per  week  from  yellow 
fever. 

“ In  order  completely  to  stamp  out  yellow  fever  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  destroy  a limited  number  of  the  worst  infected  houses 
occupied  by  the  poorest  classes,  to  construct  a system  of  sewers, 
and  lay  new  pavements.  This  will  involve  a very  large  expendi- 
ture of  money,  and  it  is  not  at  present  clear  how  the  city  can  raise 
this  money.  It  is  probable,  however,  that  a feasible  financial 
scheme  could  be  devised  after  thorough  study,  and  in  the  mean- 
time a commission  of  engineers  should  be  appointed  to  study  the 
problem,  and  either  acquire  the  existing  surveys  by  purchase,  at 
a fair  valuation,  or  else  make  new  surveys,  and  a definite  report 
covering  the  whole  ground,  so  that  the  matter  may  be  intelligently 
considered.” 


164 


Industrial  Cuba 


EXTRACTS  FROM  REPORT  OF  THE  HAVANA  YELLOW 
FEVER  COMMISSION,  1879 

TEMPERATURE 

“ This  is  conceded  to  be  a climatic  element  of  greatest  im- 
portance, and  the  ‘ annual  mean  ’ to  be  the  chief  factor. 
Throughout  the  West  Indies  the  mean  annual  temperature,  near 
the  sea,  is  from  78  degrees  to  80,  the  mean  daily  range  is  only 
about  6 degrees,  and  the  extreme  annual  range  does  not  usually 
exceed  20  degrees.  At  Havana  the  mean  annual  temperature 
varies  in  different  years  from  77  degrees  to  79;  the  mean  tem- 
perature of  the  hottest  months,  July  and  August,  varies  from  82 
to  85  degrees;  and  of  the  coldest  months,  December  and  Janu- 
ary,  from  70  to  76  degrees.  The  minimum  temperature  is  very 
rarely  as  low  as  50  degrees,  and  the  maximum  as  rarely  exceeds 
100  degrees;  in  fact,  the  thermometer,  in  the  shade,  seldom  rises 
above  94  degrees.  There  are  no  records  nor  any  tradition  of 
frost  having  ever  occurred  except  on  December  24  and  25,  1856. 
It  is  alleged  that  even  in  the  sparsely  inhabited  mountains  in  the 
east  of  Cuba,  where  the  Tarquino  peak  reaches  an  altitude  of 
about  8000  feet,  frost  rarely  occurs,  and  snow  never.” 

RAINFALL 

“ During  the  sixteen  years,  1859-74,  the  average  number  of 
rainy  days  at  Havana  was  113;  the  minimum  number,  97  days, 
occurred  in  1869,  and  the  maximum  number,  141  days,  occurred 
in  1862.  d he  average  amount  of  rain  for  the  sixteen  years  was 
49  inches,  the  minimum  was  42.5  in  1861,  and  the  maximum  was 
70  inches  in  1867.  The  maximum  amount  of  rain  falling  in  any 
one  season  is  from  May  to  September,  inclusive,  but  especially 
during  August  and  September.  The  rain  then  descends  with  such 
rapidity  that  it  runs  off  in  torrents;  but,  as  is  seen,  the  usual  be- 
lief that  the  annual  rainfall  is  excessive  is  erroneous.  The  annual 
mean  relative  humidity  varies  in  different  years  from  about  73  to 
74-5)  ar*d  that  of  the  different  months  of  the  year  from  66  to  79; 
the  minimum,  occurring  in  any  day  of  the  year,  may  be  as  low  as 
34,  and  the  maximum  as  high  as  96.  Evaporation  is  extremely 
rapid.” 


Colonel  Waring’s  Sanitary  Report  165 


ANNUAL  DEATHS  IN  HAVANA,  1870-79 


Deaths  by 
all  Diseases 
in  the  Mili- 
tary and 
Civil  Popu- 
lation. 

Deaths  by 
all  Diseases 
in  the  Civil 
Population. 

Yellow 

Deal 

Fever. 

HS  BY 

Small  Pox. 

Cholera. 

Military 
and  Civil 
Population. 

Civil  Pop- 
ulation. 

Military 
and  Civil 
Population. 

Military 
and  Civil 
Population. 

1870 

10,379 

9,451 

665 

277 

681 

1,655 

1871 

9>I74 

8,290 

991 

796 

1,126 

1872 

7,031 

6,036 

5i5 

372 

174 

1873 

7,755 

6,932 

1,244 

T,0I9 

47 

1874 

9,604 

8.523 

1,225 

1,236 

772 

1875 

8,390 

7,044 

I,OOI 

94 

711 

1876 

9,122 

7,438 

1,619 

904 

160 

1877 

10,217 

7,139 

1,374 

567 

97 

1878 

n.507 

8,594 

1,559 

758 

1,225 

1879 

9.052 

7,826 

1.444 

737 

523 

92,231 

77,273 

h,837 

6,760 

5,516 

1,655 

“ Spanish  army  losses  to  January  16,  1896: 


Killed  in  action  and  died  from  wounds 405 

Died  from  yellow  fever 3,190 

All  other  diseases 282 


3.877 

“ Total  mortality  of  Spanish  army  in  Cuba  in  1897  (from  Public 
Health  Report,  U.  S.  Marine  Hospital  Service,  April  29,  1898): 


Deaths  from  yellow  fever 6,034 

Deaths  from  enteric  fever 2,500 

Enteritis  and  dysentery 12,000 

Malarial  fevers 7,000 

All  other  diseases 5,000 

Deaths  from  all  diseases 32,534 

“ The  above  table  . . . clearly  proves  that  ‘ the  actual 


sanitary  condition  of  the  principal  ports  of  Cuba  ’ is  very  un- 
favourable, since,  in  recent  years,  their  death-rates  have  ranged 


Industrial  Cuba 


1 66 

from  31.9  to  66.7.  It  also  proves  that  the  sanitary  condition  of 
the  inland  towns  is  very  little,  if  at  all,  better  than  that  of  the 
seaports.  The  high  death-rates  of  Guanabacoa  and  of  Marianao 
are  especially  notable,  because  these  suburban  towns,  within  three 
and  six  miles  of  Havana,  are  summer  resorts,  and  enjoy,  espe- 
cially Marianao,  a high  repute  for  salubrity.  Taking  a general 
view  of  the  death-rates  for  the  total  population  of  all  the  twenty 
towns  in  the  above  list — towns  selected  solely  because  the  only 
ones  which  furnish  reliable  official  reports,  though  many  others 
were  solicited,  it  will  be  found  that  twenty-six  death-rates  are 
given,  that  these  range  from  23.5  to  66.7,  and  that,  while  only 
eight  of  the  twenty-six  are  under  35,  twelve  of  them  are  50  or 
more.  ” 

“ The  portion  of  the  city  in  worst  repute  is  the  fifth  district, 
and  especially  Jesus  Maria,  one  of  its  wards.  This  is,  to  con- 
siderable extent,  reclaimed  swamp  lands,  filled  in  largely  with 
street  refuse  and  garbage.  It  fronts  the  bottom  of  the  harbour. 
Its  rough,  unpaved  streets  are  in  many  places  almost  impassable 
in  net  weather,  even  to  pedestrians.  Great  mud-holes,  covered 
with  green  slime,  and  fit  only  for  the  abode  of  hogs,  are  numer- 
ous. The  houses,  as  well  as  the  streets,  have  an  uncared-for, 
filthy,  and  disgusting  appearance;  and  the  sickly,  anaemic  resi- 
dents look  as  dirty  and  cheerless  as  the  streets  and  houses. 

“ The  Punta  or  Colon  wards  in  the  third  district — at  least  the 
portions  which  immediately  front  the  sea — have  a reputation 
almost  as  bad  as  the  Jesus  Maria  ward.  The  foundation  rocks 
were,  during  the  last  century,  excavated  to  build  fortifications, 
and  these  excavations  were  filled  up  with  street  refuse  and  garb- 
age;  hence  this  ward  is,  like  Jesus  Maria,  to  some  extent,  re- 
claimed land.  These  portions  are  alleged  to  be  very  unhealthful, 
while  houses  only  six  or  eight  blocks  distant  are  not  so;  com- 
paratively light  rains  flood  the  banquettes  and  run  into  the  houses. 
The  streets  are  wider  and  the  houses  better  than  in  Jesus  Maria. 
Some  consider  the  location  of  the  latter,  at  the  bottom  of  the 
harbour,  a chief  cause  for  its  unhealthfulness,  but  the  unhealthy 
portion  of  the  city  now  referred  to  fronts  the  sea. 

“ The  Pueblo  Nuevo  ward,  still  farther  to  the  west,  also  fronts 
the  sea,  and  is  built  on  a slope  which  attains  an  altitude  of  nearly 
seventy  feet.  Notwithstanding  these  advantages,  it  is  very  badly 


THE  PRADO  AND  INDIAN  STATUE,  HAVANA. 


Colonel  Waring's  Sanitary  Report  167 

drained,  and  has,  as  it  apparently  deserves,  an  ill  repute  for 
healthfulness. 

“ The  three  suburban  wards,  Jesus  del  Monte,  the  Cerro,  and 
Vedado,  enjoy  the  best  reputation  for  salubrity,  and  also  for  their 
freedom  from  yellow  fever.  Intelligent  residents  are  readily 
found,  who  will  assert  with  great  assurance  that  no  one  is  ever 
attacked  in  these  wards  except  those  who  have  been  elsewhere 
infected.  The  summit  of  Jesus  del  Monte  has  an  altitude  of  67 
meters,  or  220  feet,  the  highest  point  in  Havana,  or  its  immediate 
vicinity.  However,  there  are  few,  if  any,  houses  about  the  sum- 
mit; the  average  level  of  the  ward  is  only  80  feet,  and  more  in- 
habitants live  below  than  above  this  level.  The  natural  drainage 
is  excellent,  the  houses  in  the  elevated  portion  occupy  more 
ground  and  are  better  ventilated  than  in  Havana.” 

GEOLOGICAL  FORMATION 

“ The  surface  soil  of  Havana  consists  for  the  most  part  of  a 
thin  layer  of  red,  yellow,  or  black  earths.  At  varying  depths 
beneath  this,  often  not  exceeding  one  or  two  feet,  lie  the  solid 
rocks.  These  foundation  rocks  are  (especially  in  the  northern 
and  more  modern  portion  of  the  city,  towards  the  coast  of  the 
sea  and  not  of  the  harbour)  quarternary  and  especially  tertiary 
formation  so  permeable  that  liquids  emptied  into  excavations  are 
absorbed  and  disappear.  In  the  southern  and  greater  portion  of 
the  city,  these  rocks  are  of  cretaceous  formation,  and  so  much 
less  permeable  that  sinks  and  other  excavations  readily  fill  to 
overflowing.  About  twenty  thousand  persons  or  one-tenth  of  the 
population,  live  on  land  reclaimed  from  the  sea,  in  large  meas- 
ure, by  dumping  on  garbage  and  street  refuse.  Much  of  this 
reclaimed  land  was  formerly  mangrove  swamps,  and  Havana 
still  lies  adjacent  to  these  breeders  of  malarial  poison.  There 
are  few  if  any  towns  in  Cuba  which  are  not  subjected  to  malarial 
effluvia  from  mangrove  or  other  swamps,  and  many  of  these 
suffer  to  greater  extent  than  Havana.” 

Messrs.  Ariza  and  Herrera  reported  a population  of  3000 
on  the  reclaimed  parts  of  the  first  district,  5000  on  parts  of 
the  third  and  fourth,  5000  on  part  of  the  fifth,  and  600  on 
part  of  the  sixth  district. 


Industrial  Cuba 


1 68 


THE  CLEANSING  OF  THE  HARBOUR 

“ The  sanitarian  cannot  hesitate  to  advocate,  for  general  rea- 
sons if  not  especially  for  yellow  fever,  the  cleansing  of  the  har- 
bour, the  cessation  of  daily  additions  to  it  of  large  masses  of  filth, 
and  the  replenishment  of  it  by  constant  currents  of  pure  water. 
To  accomplish  the  last,  it  has  been  much  insisted  on,  in  the 
United  States,  as  well  as  in  Cuba,  that  canals  should  be  dug. 
Out  of  Cuba  it  ought  to  be  better  understood  that  Havana  is  by 
no  means  deficient  in  highly  educated,  skilful,  practical  engineers, 
who  are  fully  alive  to  the  sanitary  interests  of  the  city,  and  to  the 
merits  of  this  especial  subject.  Among  these,  Colonel  Albear 
stands  pre-eminent,  and  in  September,  1879,  he  delivered  before 
the  Academy  of  Sciences  an  extremely  able  address  on  this  sub- 
ject, which  is  so  full  of  instruction,  on  other  local  conditions  also 
of  interest  to  the  sanitarian,  that  this  address  has  been  translated 
and  is  presented,  as  a most  interesting  part  of  this  report. 
Colonel  Albear  seems  to  have  conclusively  demonstrated  the 
impracticability  of  these  proposed  canals;  and  my  own  convic- 
tion is  that  if  practicable  they  could  not  possibly  place  the  small 
harbour  of  Havana  in  as  favourable  sanitary  conditions  as  are  by 
nature  the  large  harbour  of  Matanzas  and  of  Cienfuegos,  where 
yellow  fever  none  the  less  prevails.” 

DRAINAGE 

“ In  Cuban  cities,  generally,  good  drainage  is  not  found  except 
in  such  comparatively  inextensive  parts  where  nature  required 
little  or  no  assistance.  Even  in  Havana,  the  oldest  and  wealthiest 
city,  the  visitor  is  often  astounded,  especially  in  the  rainy  season, 
by  impassable  mud-holes,  and  green,  slimy,  stagnant  pools  in  the 
streets  and  in  the  backyards.  This  condition  was  found  even  in 
the  Pueblo  Nuevo  ward,  which  is  located  so  admirably  for  good 
drainage  that  little  labour  would  be  required  to  make  it  perfect. 

Messrs.  Arizaand  Herrera  reported:  ‘ Havana  has  no  sewers 
save  in  a few  principal  streets.  These  sewers  have  been  built  at 
interrupted  intervals,  without  reference  to  any  general  plan  for 
drainage.  They  are  seldom  cleaned  and  are  generally  obstructed 
in  part  or  wholly  with  sediment  or  filth  from  the  streets,  and  ex- 
hale offensive  odours.  As  the  sewers  are  few  in  number,  the  greater 


Colonel  Waring’s  Sanitary  Report  169 

part  of  the  water  of  the  city  empties  through  the  streets,  into  the 
harbour  or  the  sea;  but  the  quantity  flowing  into  the  sea  is  com- 
paratively small.’  Mr.  A.  H.  Taylor,  a civil  engineer,  thoroughly 
informed  on  this  subject,  testified  that  the  sewers  of  only  three 
streets  subserved  any  good  purpose  whatever,  and  that  the  re- 
mainder were  so  defective  that  the  city  would  really  be  much 
better  off  without  them.  Through  the  gratings,  which  have  large 
interspaces,  the  dirt  and  refuse  of  the  streets  find  such  ready 
entrance  that  a number  of  these  sewers  were  soon  filled  up,  with 
apparently  solid  materials,  to  within  a few  inches  of  the  surface 
openings.  Since  very  few  houses  or  privies  are  connected  with 
sewers,  these  are  less  offensive  than  they  would  otherwise  be,  but 
no  one  who  has  seen  them  can  find  any  words  except  of  unhesi- 
tating condemnation  for  their  grossly  defective  structure.” 

THE  PAVING  OF  STREETS 

“ Less  than  one-third  of  the  population  live  on  paved  streets, 
and  these  are  well  paved  and  kept  as  clean,  it  is  believed  cleaner, 
than  is  usual  in  the  United  States.  The  remainder  live  on  un- 
paved streets,  which  for  the  most  part  are  very  filthy.  Many 
of  these,  even  in  old  and  densely  populated  parts  of  the  city,  are 
no  better  than  rough  country  roads,  full  of  rocks,  crevices,  mud- 
holes,  and  other  irregularities,  so  that  vehicles  traverse  them  with 
difficulty  at  all  times,  and  in  the  rainy  season  they  are  sometimes 
impassable  for  two  months.  Rough,  muddy,  or  both,  these 
streets  serve  admirably  as  permanent  receptacles  for  much  de- 
composing animal  and  vegetable  matter.  Finally,  not  less,  prob- 
ably more,  than  one-half  of  the  population  of  Havana  live  on 
streets  which  are  constantly  in  an  extremely  insanitary  condition, 
but  these  streets,  though  so  numerous,  are  not  in  the  beaten  track 
of  the  pleasure  tourist,  in  which  capacity  the  writer,  in  1856, 
spent  ten  days  in  Havana  without  witnessing  many  of  the  evils 
now  testified  to  with  emphasis.” 

DENSITY  OF  POPULATION 

“ Of  the  various  evils  recounted  in  connection  with  the  subject 
of  houses,  there  are  two  which  deserve  special  attention.  Many 
facts,  besides  those  associated  with  the  holds  of  vessels,  justify 
the  belief  that  the  growth  of  the  poison  of  yellow  fever  is  specially 


Industrial  Cuba 


1 70 

favoured  in  warm,  moist,  ill-ventilated  places,  where  air  is  closely 
confined.  The  low-lying  floors  touching  the  earth,  the  small, 
densely  packed  houses,  the  unusually  contracted  ventilating 
space  in  their  rear,  the  large  unventilated  excavation  for  privies 
and  sinks,  all  furnish,  as  is  firmly  believed,  the  most  favourable 
breeding-places  for  the  poison  of  yellow  fever.  In  addition, 
statistics  prove  that  in  great  cities  subjected  to  their  ordinary  un- 
favourable conditions,  the  denser  their  population  the  sicklier 
and  shorter-lived  their  inhabitants.  Common-sense  and  experi- 
ence unite  to  teach  that  the  denser  a population  the  more  wide- 
spread and  frightful  the  havoc  of  diseases,  especially  of  com- 
municable diseases.  Elsewhere  will  be  found  a special  report  on 
the  density  of  the  population  of  Havana  compared  with  numerous 
other  cities,  and  it  therein  appears  that  more  than  three-fourths 
of  the  people  of  Havana  live  in  the  most  densely  populated 
localities  in  the  world.  A tropical  climate  renders  this  enormous 
evil  still  greater.  Not  only  in  Havana  but  throughout  Cuba  the 
average  number  of  inhabitants  to  each  house  is  unusually  great, 
and  this  fact  enables  us  better  to  understand  the  great  prevalence 
in  Cuba  of  those  communicable  diseases  which  its  climate  and 
other  local  conditions  favour. 

“ The  Registry  Office  in  Havana  reports  that  there  are  upwards 
of  eighteen  thousand  fincas  in  this  registry  district,  which  com- 
prises the  village  of  Marianao  in  addition  to  the  city  of  Havana. 

A finca  is  a piece  of  land,  with  definite  boundaries  or  limits 
whether  large  or  small,  and  whether  it  has  buildings  on  it  or  not. 

“ Of  the  eighteen  thousand  fincas  in  the  district  about  fourteen 
thousand  have  houses  upon  them,  and  the  other  four  thousand 
being  vacant  lots  in  the  city,  or  fincas  rusticas,  in  the  rural 
districts. 

“ At  least  twelve  in  every  thirteen  inhabitants  live  in  one- 
story  houses;  and  as  the  total  civil,  military,  and  transient  popu- 
lation exceeds  two  hundred  thousand,  there  are  more  than  twelve 
inhabitants  to  every  house.  Tenement  houses  may  have  many 
small  rooms,  but  each  room  is  occupied  by  a family.  Generally, 
the  one-story  houses  have  four  or  five  rooms;  but  house-rent  (as 
also  food  and  clothing)  is  rendered  so  expensive  by  taxation,  by 
export  as  well  as  import  duties,  that  it  is  rare  for  a workman, 
even  when  paid  fifty  to  one  hundred  dollars  a month,  to  enjoy 


Colonel  Waring’s  Sanitary  Report  171 

the  exclusive  use  of  one  of  these  mean  little  houses.  Reserving 
one  or  two  rooms  for  his  family,  he  rents  the  balance.  This  con- 
dition of  affairs  is  readily  understood  when  it  is  known  that  so 
great  a necessity  as  flour  costs  in  Havana  $15.50,  when  its  price  in 
the  United  States  was  $6.50  per  barrel. 

“ In  the  densely  populated  portions  of  the  city  the  houses 
generally  have  no  back  yard,  properly  so  called,  but  a flagged 
court,  or  narrow  vacant  space  into  which  sleeping-rooms  open  at 
the  side;  and  in  close  proximity  with  these,  at  the  rear  of  this 
contracted  court,  are  located  the  kitchen,  the  privy,  and  often  a 
stall  for  animals.” 

“Messrs.  Ariza  and  Herrera  report  that  in  Havana  the  average 
height  of  the  ground  floor  is  from  seven  to  eleven  inches  above 
the  pavement,  but  in  Havana,  and  more  frequently  in  other 
Cuban  towns,  one  often  encounters  houses  which  are  entered  by 
stepping  down  from  the  sidewalk;  and  some  floors  are  even  be- 
low the  level  of  the  streets.  In  Havana  some  of  the  floors;  in 
Matanzas  more;  in  Cardenas  and  Cienfuegos  many,  are  of  bare 
earth  itself,  or  of  planks  raised  only  a few  inches  above  the  damp 
ground. 

“ The  privy  and  the  sink  for  slops,  the  open  kitchen  shed,  and 
the  stable  immediately  adjoin  each  other,  confined  in  a very  con- 
tracted space  close  to  sleeping-rooms.  The  privy  consists  of  an 
excavation  which  often  extends  several  feet  laterally  under  the 
stone  flags  of  the  court.  Even  if  the  sides  be  walled,  the  bottom 
is  of  the  original  porous  earth  or  subsoil  rock,  thus  permitting 
widespread  saturation  of  the  soil.” 

LA  LUCHA  OCTOBER,  21,  1896 

“ These  houses  are  veritable  pig-styes.  Houses  which  rent 
from  thirty  to  forty-five  dollars  per  month — an  extremely  high 
price  for  a country  where  wealth  has  been  destroyed  by  war — are 
devoid  of  all  comfort.  They  are  unhealthful  habitations.  A 
very  distinguished  stranger,  who  visited  us  some  time  ago,  said  of 
them:  ‘ They  are  composed  solely  of  four  walls  and  a pavement 
which  are  stained  with  dampness  and  a privy  whose  fetid  and  con- 
stant emanations  poison  the  air  that  must  be  breathed.’  ” 


CHAPTER  XII 


MUNICIPAL  PROBLEMS  IN  HAVANA 

THE  American  authorities  and  American  enterprise  have 
jointly  taken  hold  of  the  municipal  problem  of  Havana 
with  considerable  energy.  This  subject  is  of  such  vital  im- 
portance, not  only  to  the  industrial  reconstruction  of  Cuba, 
but  to  the  future  of  the  Island  itself,  that  no  apology  is 
necessary  for  devoting  an  entire  chapter  to  it.  The  prob- 
lems which  General  Ludlow,  the  present  Governor  of  Ha- 
vana, has  taken  up  energetically  are  those  relating  to  the 
reorganisation  of  the  police  force,  public  works,  water  and 
gas  supply,  fire  department,  and  other  branches  of  local 
government.  Private  enterprise,  both  English  and  Ameri- 
can, has  lost  no  time  in  securing  the  street-railway  system 
and  some  of  the  public  theatres,  and  in  various  ways  en- 
gaged in  semi-public  enterprises,  the  result  of  which  will  be 
greatly  to  improve  existing  conditions,  and  make  Havana  a 
much  more  desirable  city,  both  for  business  and  residence. 

Next  to  the  question  of  sanitary  improvement,  which  is  ab- 
solutely imperative  unless  the  United  States  stands  ready  to 
sacrifice  thousands  of  lives  next  summer,  is  the  organisation 
of  the  police  force  for  the  preservation  of  life  and  property. 
For  several  years  past  it  is  said  the  attention  of  the  police  of 
Havana  has  been  directed  more  to  political  arrests  than 
to  prevention  of  crime.  Whether  these  rumours  are  well 
founded  or  not,  General  Greene,  whose  report  upon  the 
sanitation  of  Cuba  was  presented  in  the  previous  chapter,  is 
not  prepared  to  assert;  but  he  contends  that  at  the  time  he 
made  his  report,  last  December,  the  police  force  was  com- 

172 


Municipal  Problems  in  Havana  173 

pletely  disorganised.  As  it  formerly  existed,  the  police 
force  of  Havana  consisted  of  two  parts,  namely:  the  Gov- 
ernment police,  under  the  direct  orders  of  the  civil  governor 
of  the  province;  and  the  municipal  police,  under  the  orders 
of  the  Alcalde,  or  Mayor.  The  functions  of  the  latter  were 
mainly  those  of  inspectors,  to  look  after  the  enforcement  of 
city  ordinances  in  regard  to  buildings,  public  health,  and 
such  matters.  They  numbered  200.  The  Government 
police  consisted  of  a battalion  called  the  Ordeyi  Publico , the 
colonel  in  command  of  which  was  chief  of  police.  The  bat- 
talion numbered  about  1200  men,  and  was  recruited  from 
the  Spanish  army,  among  men  who  had  passed  through 
not  less  than  six  years’  service,  who  held  the  grade  of  ser- 
geant, and  who  had  won  certificates  of  perfectly  good  char- 
acter. This  force  was  disarmed  and  shipped  to  Spain  in 
November,  on  the  ground  of  alleged  mutiny;  the  facts 
being  that  they  claimed  the  money  belonging  to  them 
which  had  been  deposited  with  the  regimental  paymaster, 
and  by  him  embezzled. 

In  addition  to  the  municipal  police  and  the  Orden  Publico, 
there  was  a force,  detailed  from  the  Guarda  Civil,  whose 
total  strength  was  about  3500  men.  This  force  constituted 
the  rural  police  of  the  entire  Island,  under  the  orders  of  the 
civil  governor  of  each  province.  About  300  were  used  by 
the  civil  governor  of  Havana  for  duty  in  the  suburbs  of 
Jesus  del  Monte,  Cerro,  and  other  outlying  neighbourhoods. 

At  the  time  the  control  of  the  city  passed  from  Spanish 
into  American  hands,  the  police  force  consisted  simply  of 
the  municipal  police,  about  200  in  number,  with  a few  addi- 
tions, all  of  whom  were  temporarily  organised  into  a Gov- 
ernment police  force  after  the  disarmament  of  the  Orden 
Publico. 

The  city,  according  to  General  Greene’s  report,  is  divided 
into  ten  districts,  and  these  are  still  further  subdivided  into 
thirty-nine  barrios,  or  wards.  The  barrios  correspond  in  a 
measure  to  the  precincts  in  New  York,  and  in  each  there 
was  a celador,  corresponding  to  a sergeant  in  New  York. 


1 7 4 


Industrial  Cuba 


He  received  $100  per  month,  and  had  charge  of  the  police 
in  his  barrio,  or  precinct.  There  were  five  inspectors,  each 
of  whom  had  two  of  the  principal  districts  under  his  charge 
They  received  $125  per  month.  They  were  in  turn  subject 
to  the  orders  of  the  chief  of  police,  and  he  to  the  orders  of 
the  civil  governor.  The  appointments  to  all  of  the  positions 
named  were  made  by  the  Governor-General  on  the  nomina- 
tion of  the  Governor.  Each  inspector  had  an  office  on  the 
ground  floor  of  the  house  where  he  lived,  and  these  were  all 
connected  by  telephone,  through  the  Telephone  Exchange, 
with  the  Police  Headquarters  on  Cuba  Street,  near  Quar- 
ters Street.  Similarly,  each  of  the  ccladors  had  an  office 
in  his  own  house.  There  were  a large  number  of  details  for 
special  service  at  banks,  theatres,  public  offices,  and  similar 
places,  and  while  the  nominal  strength  of  the  Orden  Publico 
was  1200,  yet  vacancy,  sickness,  and  other  causes  reduced 
its  effective  strength  to  800  or  900. 

According  to  this  report,  in  the  opinion  of  the  civil  gov- 
ernor, a force  of  600  carefully  selected  men,  thoroughly  well 
organised,  under  proper  officers,  will  be  ample  for  the 
security  of  life  and  property  in  this  city.  The  orders  of 
the  President  of  the  United  States  authorised  the  organisa- 
tion of  a force  of  1000  men.  Subsequently  the  Secretary 
of  War  telegraphed  General  Greene  to  employ  such  number 
of  men  as  was  necessary.  In  the  judgment  of  the  com- 
manding general  the  number  authorised  by  the  President 
was  sufficient,  and  the  proposed  organisation,  inaugurated 
by  General  Greene  and  just  completed  under  the  direction 
of  General  Ludlow,  aided  by  ex-Chicf  of  Police  of  New 
York  City,  McCullough,  is  as  follows: 


1 Colonel  (U.  S.  V.),  Chief  of  Police... 

1 Deputy  Chief  of  Police 

x Secretary  Inspector 

1 Chief  of  Detectives,  Deputy  Inspector 

6 Inspectors,  officers  U.  S.  V 

6 Deputy  Inspectors 

12  Captains 

48  Lieutenants 


Salary  per  month 


$250 

165 

165 

150 

«5 

90 


Municipal  Problems  in  Havana  175 


Salary  per  month 


48  Patrol  Sergeants $65 

10  Detective  Sergeants 1 1 5 

14  Detectives 100 

12  Detectives 75 

820  Patrolmen 50 

1 Stenographer  and  Interpreter 150 

6 Clerks 50 

6 Drivers 40 

12  Janitors 35 

2 Surgeons 100 


The  total  expenses  for  salary  would  be  $56,360  per  month, 
or  $676,020  per  annum.  In  addition  there  would  be  ex- 
penses for  rent  of  office,  telephone,  telegrams,  patrol  ser- 
vice, 100  horses  for  use  in  suburban  districts,  and  other 
expenses,  which  would  bring  the  total  cost  of  the  police  up 
to  about  $723,660  per  annum. 

It  is  proposed  to  put  the  entire  police  management  under 
charge  of  an  officer  of  the  volunteer  army,  and  to  give  him 
a deputy  chief,  who  shall  be  a resident  of  the  Island,  and, 
if  possible,  experienced  in  police  matters.  Similarly,  to  put 
officers  of  the  army  of  junior  rank  as  inspectors  in  the  prin- 
cipal districts — six  in  number — and  to  give  to  each  a deputy 
inspector,  who  will  be  a resident.  At  the  beginning,  it  is 
deemed  essential  that  the  police  management  should  be 
in  the  hands  of  army  officers  who  can  be  relied  upon, 
but  each  will  have  a deputy  who  will  be  a resident,  and 
if  possible  thoroughly  experienced  in  the  police  service. 
It  may  be  necessary  to  change  these  resident  officers  once 
or  more  before  the  best  men  for  the  positions  are  finally 
found.  After  the  system  has  been  in  operation,  and  the 
men  have  proved  their  efficiency,  it  will  be  possible  for  the 
army  officers  to  be  relieved,  and  the  native  or  resident 
officers  to  assume  full  control. 

In  his  report  on  the  organisation  of  the  Havana  police 
force  General  Greene  says: 

“ There  are  three  sources  from  which  the  men  can  be  obtained, 
namely,  the  existing  police  force,  the  Cuban  troops  under  Gen- 


Industrial  Cuba 


i/6 


eral  Menocal,  and  the  discharged  Spanish  soldiers.  The  Presi- 
dent’s instructions  are  positive  that  this  force  should  be  selected 
without  reference  to  previous  affiliations,  either  for  or  against  the 
revolutionary  movement,  and  by  drawing  from  the  three  classes 
abo\  e named  ; these  instructions  will  be  carried  out  in  letter  and 
in  spirit.” 

In  accordance  with  the  President’s  instructions,  every 
officer  and  member  of  the  police  force  will  be  required  to 
subscribe  the  following  oath,  which  will  be  printed  in  both 
Spanish  and  English : 


" I do  solemnly  swear  that  I will  bear  true  and  exclusive  faith 
and  allegiance  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States  existing 
in  the  Island  of  Cuba,  and  that  I will  faithfully  and  obediently 
perform  my  duty  as  a member  of  the  police  force  of  Havana 
under  the  said  Government.  So  help  me  God.” 


The  uniform  of  the  new  Havana  police  officer  will  consist 
of  straw  hat,  dark  blue  blouse  and  trousers,  tan-coloured 
shoes,  and  white  gloves. 

The  public  works  needed  in  Havana  are  sewers,  pave- 
ments, a new  slaughter-house,  buildings  for  the  police,  fire, 
and  health  departments,  and  new  hospitals.  All  of  these 
will  require  a very  large  sum  of  money,  and  the  ability  of 
the  city  to  raise  this  money  is  not  yet  evident.  For  the 


present,  all  that  can  be  done  is  thoroughly  to  clean,  disin- 
fect, and  repair  the  existing  public  buildings,  either  owned 
or  rented,  so  as  to  make  them  habitable  for  the  public 
officials,  both  American  and  native.  The  means  of  com- 
munication are  entirely  inadequate.  They  consist  of  lines 
of  tramways  running  out  to  Jesus  del  Monte,  Cerro,  and 
the  foot  of  the  Principe  Hill.  The  tracks  are  in  bad  order, 
the  cars  are  old  and  dirty,  and  they  are  drawn  by  three 
horses  each.  The  live  stock  is  in  bad  condition,  and  the 
stables  are  filthy.  These  lines  are  owned  by  a company 
called  the  Ferro  Carril  Urbatio  y Omnibus  de  la  Habana, 
under  a concession  granted  February  5,  1859.  The  same 


Municipal  Problems  in  Havana  177 

company  also  runs,  in  the  suburban  districts,  a few  lines  of 
very  small  omnibuses,  drawn  by  two  mules.  The  service  is 
extremely  bad.  In  addition  to  these  facilities  for  trans- 
portation there  is  a dummy  ” line,  running  from  the 
centre  of  the  city  to  the  western  end  of  the  Vedado,  a dis- 
tance of  about  four  miles.  The  track  is  in  bad  order,  and 
the  service  is  unsatisfactory. 

Undoubtedly  one  of  the  first  enterprises  that  will  be 
pushed  to  completion  in  Havana  will  be  an  entirely  new 
tramway  system,  with  mechanical  traction.  General  Greene 
recognises  the  necessity  of  this  when  he  says  in  his  report : 

“ There  is  a great  need  of  a thorough  and  modern  system  of 
electric  street  railways  in  this  city.  While  the  streets  are  narrow, 
yet  a single  track  could  be  laid  on  each  street,  near  the  curbstone 
on  one  side,  in  such  a manner  as  not  to  impede  traffic.  It  is  a 
question,  however,  whether  these  tracks  should  be  laid  prior  to 
the  laying  of  the  sewers,  which  would  cause  the  tearing  up  of 
every  street  in  the  thickly  populated  portion  of  the  city.” 

General  Greene  is  undoubtedly  right  in  saying  that  the 
new  sewerage,  gas,  and  water  pipes,  tramways,  and  paving 
of  Havana  should  all  be  done  at  one  time.  If  a general 
plan  of  this  sort  were  inaugurated,  the  streets  could  be 
taken  one  at  a time  and  finished.  It  should  be  borne  in 
mind  that  this  sort  of  work  cannot  be  done  as  it  is  done  in 
American  cities,  by  reason  of  the  fact  that  the  streets  are 
so  narrow  that  to  pull  part  of  them  up  and  leave  any  room 
for  traffic  is  impossible.  Added  to  this,  the  paving  which 
should  be  done  in  Havana  is  more  like  masonry  work  than 
ordinary  paving,  because  in  consequence  of  the  tremendous 
rains  in  the  rainy  season  when  the  streets  practically  become 
small  rivers  (for  it  is  not  an  unusual  thing  to  see  small  boys 
swimming  in  the  street),  the  sort  of  pavements  we  are 
familiar  with  would  be  entirely  inadequate. 

In  the  chapter  on  Havana  mention  was  made  of  the  ex- 
cellent water  supply.  While  the  following  description  of 


i ;8 


Industrial  Cuba 


the  water  supply  of  Havana  by  General  Greene  partially 
covers  the  statement  already  made,  it  brings  out  an  interest- 
ing point  in  relation  to  the  necessity  of  not  only  encourag- 
ing but  also  insisting  on  the  additional  use  of  water  in 
Havana.  It  is  nothing  less  than  criminal  for  a city  so 
abundantly  supplied  with  magnificent  spring  water  as  is 
Havana  not  to  insist  upon  its  more  liberal  use.  The  water- 
works themselves  were  built  by  American  enterprise  and 
there  can  be  no  doubt  that  those  responsible  for  their 
management  will  be  glad  enough  to  increase  the  use  of  the 
water,  and  in  so  doing  reduce  the  price  to  the  consumer. 
However  this  may  be,  the  water  supply  of  Havana  is  so 
closely  allied  to  its  sanitary  condition,  that  whatever  the 
United  States  Government  may  decide  to  do  in  regard  to  its 
sewerage  should  be  taken  up  in  conjunction  with  the  water 
supply.  It  is  not  a matter  that  should  be  left  to  the  de- 
cision of  the  people  of  Havana  themselves,  but  should  be 
managed  with  no  uncertain  hand  by  those  in  authority,  and 
the  supply  paid  for  by  the  city  if  the  people  are  too  poor 
or  too  indifferent  to  appreciate  the  necessity  of  cleanliness. 
Note  what  General  Greene  says  on  this  point : 

“ The  present  water  supply  of  Havana  is  excellent,  although 
it  is  used  by  only  a portion  of  the  population.  It  comes  from 
enormous  springs  on  the  banks  of  the  Almendares  River,  about 
eight  miles  due  south  of  the  city.  These  springs  are  inclosed  in 
a masonry  structure,  about  150  feet  in  diameter  at  its  base,  and 
250  feet  at  the  top,  and  60  feet  deep.  Masonry  drains  are  laid 
around  the  upper  surface  to  prevent  any  surface  water  from  wash- 
ing into  the  spring.  At  the  base  of  this  spring  the  water  is  con- 
stantly bubbling  up,  and  appears  to  be  of  remarkable  purity. 
The  supply  is  so  large  that  it  more  than  fills  all  the  present  re- 
quirements, and  a large  portion  of  it  runs  to  waste.  From  the 
spring  the  water  is  conveyed  under  the  Almendares  River  by  pipes 
situated  in  a tunnel,  and  from  the  north  side  of  the  river  the  water 
is  conveyed  in  a masonry  tunnel  or  aqueduct  for  a distance  of 
about  six  miles,  where  it  discharges  into  a receiving  reservoir,  the 
altitude  of  which  is  35  metres,  or  about  108  feet,  above  the  sea 


Municipal  Problems  in  Havana  179 

level.  From  the  distributing  reservoir  the  water  is  carried  into 
the  city  by  gravity  in  pipes,  the  highest  point  in  the  thickly  popu- 
lated portion  of  the  city  being,  as  already  stated,  68  feet.  The 
pipes  in  the  streets  are  said  to  be  small,  and  there  is  not  sufficient 
pressure  to  carry  the  water  to  the  upper  stories  of  the  small  num- 
ber of  buildings  which  exceed  one  story  in  height.  In  these 
buildings  pumping  is  necessary. 

“ There  are  said  to  be  about  18,000  houses  in  the  city,  and 
from  a report  made  by  the  municipality  in  1897  it  appears  that 
the  number  of  houses  directly  connected  with  the  water  pipes  is 
9233.  The  poorer  houses,  which  are  not  thus  connected,  obtain 
water  either  by  purchase  from  the  street  vendors  or  by  getting  it 
from  public  taps,  of  which  there  are  a certain  number  scattered 
throughout  the  city.” 

Of  the  efficiency  of  the  fire  department,  General  Greene, 
in  his  report,  said  that  he  was  unable  to  speak  without 
further  knowledge.  ” It  is  generally  considered,”  he  says, 

to  be  very  satisfactory,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  city 
take  great  pride  in  it.” 

The  fire  department  of  Havana  appears  to  consist  of  two 
branches — the  Municipal  Fire  Department  and  the  Com- 
mercial Fire  Department,  the  former  being  partly  supported 
at  public  expense  and  the  latter  at  the  expense  of  private 
individuals. 

The  Municipal  Fire  Department  is  organised  as  a battal- 
ion, as  follows: 

I Colonel,  Chief  of  Fire  Department 

1 I.ieutenant-Colonel,  Deputy-Chief 

2 Majors. 

1 Adjutant. 

12  Captains. 

16  First  Lieutenants. 

13  Second  Lieutenants. 

44  Sergeants. 

The  only  paid  employes,  however,  are  a few  machinists, 
drivers,  clerks,  and  a telegraph  operator.  The  entire  ex- 
pense in  the  budget  of  1897-98  is  as  follows: 


74  Corporals. 

10  Cornets. 

1531  Firemen. 

1 Chief  Surgeon. 

4 Assistant  Surgeons. 

1 Chief  Apothecary. 

2 Assistant  Apothecaries. 


i8o 


Industrial  Cuba 


For  salaries $6,712 

For  materials 7,062 


Total $13,774 

The  apparatus  consists  of  five  steam  fire  engines  in  Ha- 
vana, one  in  Jesus  del  Monte,  and  one  in  Marianao;  two 
hose-carts,  and  one  hook  and  ladder  carriage. 

There  are  78  fire-alarm  stations  and  356  water-plugs  dis- 
tributed in  different  parts  of  the  city. 

The  debt  of  the  city  of  Havana  on  December  31,  1898, 
according  to  a statement  signed  by  the  Mayor  and  Control- 


ler, was  as  follows: 

Loan  of  April  22,  1889,  fifty-year  6 per  cent,  bonds  (mortgagee, 

Spanish  Bank  of  the  Island  of  Cuba) $6,721,000.00 

Loan  of  October  17,  1891,  fifty-year  6 per  cent,  bonds  (mort- 
gagee, Bank  of  Commerce,  United  Railroads,  and  Regia 

Warehouses) 2,882,000.00 

^otes 23,830,94 

Floating  debt  for  salaries,  materials,  interest,  and  sinking  fund.  2,450,064.78 

Total $12,076,895.72 


By  the  end  of  this  year  the  floating  debt  will  be  still 
greater,  and  the  total  obligations  of  the  city  at  that  time 
will  probably  be  about  $12,500,000. 

The  mortgage  for  the  loan  of  1889  to  the  Spanish  Bank 
is  a document  of  158  printed  pages,  including  the  index. 
It  recites  that  in  1877  the  city  borrowed  from  the  Spanish 
Bank  a sum  of  money  which,  together  with  its  interest, 
amounted  in  1889  to  $3, 177,053.25  ; that  the  city  was  in 
arrears  for  interest  and  sinking  fund,  and  that  lawsuits  have 
been  in  progress  to  compel  the  city  to  pay;  that  the  city 
also  desired  funds  for  the  completing  the  water-works  and 
other  purposes,  and  it  was  finally  agreed  that  the  city  would 
issue  $6,500,000  6 per  cent,  fifty-year  bonds  for  the  purpose 
of  taking  up  the  existing  debt  and  completing  the  water- 
works, the  expense  of  which  was  estimated  at  $1,850,000; 
and  that  the  balance  of  the  loan,  which  was  taken  at  90, 
was  to  be  turned  over  to  the  city  for  general  purposes. 
There  was  a further  provision  that  the  loan  might  be  in- 
creased to  $7,000,000  in  case  the  city  found  it  necessary, 


HOUSE  OF  PARLIAMENT,  HAVANA. 


Municipal  Problems  in  Havana  181 

and  this  was  done.  The  sinking  fund  provides  for  with- 
drawal by  lot  and  payment  of  a certain  number  of  bonds 
every  three  months  during  the  fifty  years,  the  amount  at 
the  end  of  the  first  quarter  being  $5000  and  the  last  quarter 
$100,000.  As  security  for  the  loan  the  city  gave  a first 


mortgage  on  the  following  property: 

Canal  de  Vento,  valued  at $5,030,000 

The  aqueduct  of  Fernando  VII.,  valued  at 153,000 

The  Cristina  market,  valued  at 103,000 

The  Tacon  market,  valued  at 960,000 

The  Colon  market,  valued  at 304,000 

Making  a total  of $6,550,000 


together  with  all  revenues  and  receipts  from  them  during 
the  period  of  the  loan.  In  addition  the  municipality  mort- 
gaged as  further  security  upward  of  fifty  houses  which  it 
owns  in  various  sections  of  the  city.  The  amount  of  this 
loan  was  $7,000,000,  which  has  been  reduced  by  the  opera- 
tions of  the  sinking  fund  to  $6,721,000.  The  mortgage  of 
1891  is  also  for  fifty  years  and  at  6 per  cent.,  with  the  same 
property  as  security.  The  original  amount  was  $3,000,000, 
which  has  now  been  reduced  by  the  operations  of  the  sink- 
ing fund  to  $2,882,000.  The  amount  of  arrears  of  interest 
and  sinking  fund  on  the  two  loans  is  $343,600.56,  which 
figures  as  part  of  the  floating  debt  first  above  stated. 

The  floating  debt  of  Havana  arises  from  the  failure  to 
pay  practically  any  salaries,  contractors,  or  bills  for  materials 
during  the  whole  of  the  year  1898,  and  for  some  debts  con- 
tracted prior  to  this  year.  The  items  are  given  as  follows: 


Salaries $678,217.55 

Supplies 230,205.77 

Materials 1,183,312.31 

Public  works 2,568.59 

Interest  and  sinking  fund  of  debts 343,600.56 

Notes  overdue 12,160.00 


$2,450,064.78 

This  is  prima  facie  a valid  obligation  of  the  municipality, 
and  should  be  funded.  But  before  making  a new  loan  for 


182 


Industrial  Cuba 


the  purpose  of  paying  these  debts  it  would  be  only  proper 
to  have  a court  of  claims  established,  before  which  all  the 
creditors  of  the  municipality  could  appear  and  definitely 
prove  the  amount  of  their  claims  and  the  date  at  which 
they  accrued. 

The  debt  question  of  Havana  can  not  be  disposed  of 
lightly.  In  his  instructive  report  on  the  municipal  finances 
of  Havana,  General  Greene  gives  it  as  his  opinion  that  $12,- 
500,000  is  not  excessive  for  a city  of  the  size  and  wealth  of 
Havana.  Discussing  the  question  with  prominent  financiers 
of  Havana,  the  author  found  that  these  gentlemen  agreed 
substantially  with  General  Greene,  some  going  so  far  as  to 
declare  the  city  could  easily  stand  double  the  present  debt, 
which  would  bring  it  up  to  $25,000,000.  According  to  the 
last  census,  the  only  city  comparable  with  Havana  in  the 
United  States  that  carries  a debt  approaching  this  was  Cin- 
cinnati, which  had  then  a debt  of  $24,737,611.  Cleveland, 
on  the  other  hand,  with  a population  about  the  same,  had 
in  1890  a debt  of  only  $6,143,206.  The  other  United 
States  cities  of  about  the  same  population  are  respectively 
Pittsburg,  debt,  $10,026,806;  Buffalo, debt, $10,843,029;  Mil- 
waukee, debt  only  $2,915,900;  and  San  Francisco,  less  than 
$1,000,000  of  municipal  indebtedness.  The  debts  of  both 
Boston  and  Philadelphia  were  in  1890  less  than  $30,000,000. 
It  will  be  bad  financiering  to  burden  Havana  at  present  with 
more  debt.  \\  hen  the  budget  is  fully  examined  by  expert 
accountants  a large  floating  debt  will  be  found,  some  of 
which  it  may  be  right  and  just  to  pay,  and  much  of  which 
is  fraudulent.  There  will  be  long  past-due  gas  bills,  aggre- 
gating over  $500,000;  unpaid  bills  for  street  cleaning; 
salary  accounts  unadjusted,  and  a great  variety  of  debts 
the  validity  of  which  may  have  to  be  tried  in  the  courts. 
To  meet  current  expenses  the  revenues  of  the  city  will  have 
to  be  increased  and  honestly  expended.  Naturally,  the  city 
will  have  to  bear  its  share  of  the  important  sanitary  work 
which  must  be  done  in  Havana,  but  as  this  work  is  for  the 
general  welfare  of  the  Island,  part  of  it  may  rightly  be  taken 


Municipal  Problems  in  Havana  183 

from  the  general  funds.  Judged  from  an  American  point 
of  view,  the  municipal  debt  of  Havana  at  the  present  mo- 
ment is  quite  large  enough,  and  great  care  should  be  taken 
not  to  increase  it  beyond  the  danger  line. 

The  revenue  of  the  city  is  derived  entirely  from  licences 
and  indirect  taxation.  Real  estate  is  not  directly  taxed, 
and  the  municipality  does  not  receive  directly  anything  from 
it.  The  Island  of  Cuba  imposes,  among  other  taxes,  a duty 
of  12  per  cent,  on  the  estimated  rental  value  of  all  houses  in 
the  city  and  country,  and  it  pays  over  to  the  city  of  Havana 
18  per  cent,  of  the  amount  thus  collected  on  rents  within 
the  city  limit.  The  Island  of  Cuba  also  levies  a tax  on  in- 
dustry, commerce,  and  professions,  and  it  pays  over  to  the 
city  of  Havana  25  per  cent,  of  all  such  taxes  collected 
within  the  city  limits.  The  other  sources  of  city  revenue, 
which  are  directly  collected  by  the  municipality,  are  the  rent 
of  houses  owned  by  the  municipality,  revenues  of  the  water- 
works, slaughter-house,  and  markets,  taxes  on  meat,  coke, 
and  wood,  licences  on  factories  and  business  of  all  kinds, 
and  various  minor  licences.  The  total  estimated  revenue 
for  the  year  1897-98  is  slightly  in  excess  of  $2,000,000,  and 
the  principal  items,  taken  from  the  budget,  are  as  follows: 


1.  Rent  of  houses  owned  by  the  city. 

2.  Special  taxes  and  licences  : 

Street  vendors $15,000.00 

Slaughter-house 163,000.00 

Water  rents 300,000.00 

Tax  on  pleasure  houses. 12,000.00 

Tax  on  wood 9,000.00 

Tax  on  charcoal  and  coke 44,660.00 

Licence  on  factories 26,000.00 

Licence  on  advertisements  and  signs 8,101.90 

Sundry  licences,  etc 12,496.00 


3.  Charities — Income  of  legacies 

4.  Public  Instruction — Income  of  legacies 

5.  Public  Correction — Income  from  shops,  private 

cells,  etc 


$159,598.26 


590,257.90 

4,000.00 

1,138.80 

30,688.42 


Carried  forward. 


$785,683.38 


184 


Industrial  Cuba 


Brought  forward 

6.  Extraordinary  Receipts : 

Building  permits 

Fines,  municipal  ordinances 

Special  sewer  tax 

Replacing  street  openings 

Licence  on  cedulas 

Tax  on  business 

Tax  on  meat : 

Special  deposits 

Sundries 

7.  Contributions  by  General  Government  : 

Quota  from  real  estate 

Quota  from  industry  and  commerce. . 

Total 


$'85,683.38 


$29,000.00 

6,000.00 

50.000. 00 
22,258.57 

28.000. 00 
111,300.00 
663,000.00 

20.000. 00 
3,300.00 

932,858.57 

$165,200.00 

206,700.00 

371,900.00 

$2,090,441.95 

These  receipts  amount  to  something  between  $8  and  $10 
per  head  of  a population  estimated  between  200,000  and 
250,000. 

The  expenses  of  Havana  are  such  as  are  common  in  every 
city,  namely:  expenses  of  the  Mayor  and  Council  (Ayun- 
tamiento),  police,  fire,  health,  schools,  charities,  correction, 
courts,  street  cleaning,  lighting,  repairs  and  paving,  interest, 
and  sinking  fund.  There  is  only  one  unusual  item,  namely  : 
a contribution  of  $100,000  towards  the  expenses  of  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  province.  The  items  are  shown  in  the  fol- 
lowing statement,  taken  from  the  budget  of  1897-98: 


1.  Council : 

Salaries 

Materials 

Elections 

Cost  of  collections 

Sundries 

2.  Police : 

Mayor,  deputies,  etc 

Salaries,  municipal  police 

Materials 

Fire  Department 


$79,220.00 

9.792.00 

9.100.00 

49.500.00 

1.874.00 

$149,486.00 

$43,060.00 

99.470.00 

3.650.00 
13,974-00 

160,154.00 


Carried  forward. 


$309,640.00 


Municipal  Problems  in  Havana  185 


Brought  forward. 
3.  Urban  and  rural  police  : 


Sundries $806.00 

Street  lighting 134,589.50 

Street  cleaning 125,577.28 

Tree  planting,  etc 11,212.00 

Slaughter-house 20,149.50 


4.  Schools  : 

Salaries $53,452.00 

Materials 13,890.00 

Rents 28,904.90 

Sundries 300.00 


5.  Charities 

6.  Public  works  : 


Salaries $22,270.00 

Labor,  repair  streets 170,000.00 

Material,  repair  streets 12,200.00 

Sundries,  repair  streets 4,500.00 


7.  Corrections — Prisons 

8.  Trees 

9.  Justice  and  Legal  Credits  :' 


Interest  and  Sinking  Fund 676,195.00 

Provincial  expenses 100,000.00 

Repayment  special  deposits,  etc 26,950.00 

Litigation 11,000.00 

Street  condemnation 5,000.00 

Subsidy  in  harbour  works 5,000.00 

Sundries 9,013.47 

10.  New  Works: 

Ditches  and  Drains $45,000.00 

Subscription  private  Fire  Department 2,400.00 


II.  Contingencies: 

Public  Calamities  and  unforeseen  contin- 
gencies 


$309,640.00 


292,334.28 


96,546.90 

177,308.80 


208,970  00 
78,683.50 
1,000.00 


833.158.47 


47,400.00 


45,400.00 


Total 


$2,090,441.95 


The  current  annual  estimated  expenses  of  Havana,  ac- 
cording to  the  printed  budget,  which  the  author  has  had 
translated  for  1897-98,  were  $2,090,441.95,  and  the  revenue, 
of  course,  is  made  to  balance.  This  looks  all  right  on 


Industrial  Cuba 


1 86 


paper,  but  it  is  exceedingly  doubtful  that  the  present 
authorities  will  find  the  real  facts  corresponding  with  these 
figures.  The  items  that  are  excessively  high  are  moneys 
spent  for  salaries,  for  ofifice  of  mayor,  for  gas,  for  street 
cleaning,  for  charitable  institutions,  for  paving,  and  for  con- 
tingent expenses.  By  ‘ ‘ excessive”  is  of  course  meant  exces- 
sive when  compared  with  what  the  city  receives  for  the 
money  thus  expended.  The  officials  do  little  or  nothing 
for  their  salaries,  the  gas  is  wretched  and  intolerably  expen- 
sive the  streets  are  not  cleaned,  only  the  vilest  patchwork 
in  the  way  of  paving  has  of  late  years  been  done,  and  the 
charitable  institutions,  so  called,  are  in  a miserable  and 
filthy  condition.  In  spite  of  this,  the  city  of  Havana  is 
mulcted  to  this  extent  for  these  purposes: 

Salary  of  employes  and  experts  and  expenses  of  mayor's  office 

Municipal  lighting 

Street  cleaning 

Charitable  institutions 

Pavements  and  paving  and  drains 

Provincial  contingent 

$864,885 

If  honestly  and  economically  expended,  these  sums  would 
produce  good  results  without  greatly  increasing  the  taxes 
I he  interest  and  liquidation  of  the  debt  makes  an  annual 
charge  of  $676,195,  about  one-third  of  the  present  total 
revenue  of  Havana;  which,  if  not  excessive,  is  quite  enough 
under  existing  conditions  of  the  population.  General 
Greene  thinks  the  revenues  may  be  with  safety  increased, 
say  to  S3.ooo,ooo.  There  is  force  in  this,  but  probably  the 
better  way  would  be  before  the  debt  and  taxes  are  increased 
to  tty  what  an  honest  expenditure  of  the  present  revenue 
will  do  for  the  rehabilitation  of  Havana.  Here  is  what 
General  Greene  says  on  this  subject : 

“I  am  inclined  to  think,  although  further  study  might  modify 
this  opinion,  that  the  wealth  of  Havana  is  such  that  a judicious 


$120,000 

134,000 

125,577 

177.308 

208,000 

100,000 


TACON  MARKET,  HAVANA. 


Municipal  Problems  in  Havana  187 

system  of  taxation  would  yield  a revenue  of  $15  per  head,  or  up- 
ward of  $3,000,000,  and  this,  if  honestly  and  judiciously  collected 
and  expended,  would  probably  be  twice  the  actual  net  revenue 
now  enjoyed  by  the  city.  The  collection  of  taxes  of  all  kinds  is 
now  farmed  out  on  a basis  of  five  per  cent,  commission  for  col- 
lection, which  is  added  to  the  tax.  The  tax  collector  states  that 
there  are  no  arrears,  but  this  statement  is  vigorously  disputed. 
The  whole  system  of  taxation  is  radically  different  from  that  used 
in  American  cities,  and  the  system  has  been  so  long  in  operation, 
and  is  so  intertwined  with  the  system  of  taxation  for  the  Island, 
that  it  would  probably  be  unwise  to  attempt  to  introduce  Ameri- 
can methods  during  the  period  of  military  occupation,  the  dura- 
tion of  which  is  so  uncertain.  It  would  seem  that  all  that  can  be 
done  is  to  make  an  honest  collection,  substantially  on  the  basis 
of  existing  laws,  increasing  such  items  as  in  the  judgment  of  the 
military  governor  can  stand  an  increase  without  hardship.  Such 
arbitrary  changes  would  create  no  surprise,  as  the  population  has 
for  generations  been  accustomed  to  having  them  made  by  the 
Spanish  Governor-General.” 

Arbitrary  changes  are  the  one  thing  the  military  authori- 
ties should  avoid  in  Cuba,  for  therein  lies  our  greatest 
danger  with  these  people.  The  fact  that  the  people  were 
accustomed  to  such  action  under  Spanish  rule  makes  them 
far  more  sensitive  to  such  action  than  they  otherwise  would 
have  been.  Note  the  flutter  in  Santiago  because  of  the 
order  to  send  the  custom-house  funds  to  Havana,  a per- 
fectly righteous  order  in  itself,  but  promulgated  in  too  arbi- 
trary a manner.  Notwithstanding  this  it  created  something 
akin  to  a panic  in  Santiago,  principally  because  it  reminded 
the  people  of  that  province  of  the  high-handed  Spanish  way 
of  doing  things.  It  is  not  advisable  to  increase  either  the 
debt  or  revenue  of  Havana  at  present,  but,  in  the  opinion 
of  the  author,  it  would  be  far  wiser  to  keep  the  total  revenues 
about  as  they  now  exist.  The  sources  of  revenue  may  be 
changed,  however,  to  great  advantage;  increased  in  some 
directions,  reduced  in  others.  For  example,  ordinances 
should  be  passed  compelling  the  owners  of  all  houses  not 


1 88 


Industrial  Cuba 


having  water  supply  (and,  according  to  General  Greene 
there  are  about  18,000  of  these)  to  put  in  a water  supply 
immediately.  If  this  were  done  the  water  tax  could 
spread  over  a larger  number  of  population,  the  individual 
axes  reduced  and  yet  the  revenue  from  this  source  measur- 
bly  increased.  A good  water-works,  like  that  of  Havana 
should  be  made  self-sustaining,  and  under  proper  manage- 
ment  the  profits  from  this  department  could  easily  be  made 
sufficient  to  pay  all  the  expenses,  and  at  the  same  time  to 

3 l T a{  lnterest  and  sinking  fund  of  the  water- 
works bonds.  From  the  American  point  of  view  the  most 
unwise  tax  in  Havana  is  that  which  has  made  the  slaughter- 
louses  of  that  city  a constant  source  of  scandal.  To-day 
every  kilogram  of  meat  killed  and  used  costs  the  people  of 
avana  4$  cents,  and  thus  the  cost  of  living  of  the  poorer 
c asses  is  greatly  increased  ; yet  the  revenues  of  the 
slaughter-house  are  pledged  to  pay  the  interest  on  the 
water-works  bonds,  when  the  water-works  themselves  are 
ample  security  for  this  purpose. 

The  real  estate  of  the  city  should  be  reassessed  fairly 
and  justly,  and  a tax-rate  arranged  which  would  relieve 
many  of  the  professions  and  industries  of  unnecessary  taxa- 
tion. It  would  seem  from  a glance  at  the  budget  of  Ha- 

IboH  ah'  ^ m1S-  d°ne’  and  thC  Petty’  ann°yinS  taxes 
abolished,  sufficient  revenue  could  easily  be  raised  for  all 

egitimate  purposes.  As  a matter  of  fact,  a very  large  pro- 
portion of  the  taxes  collected  for  municipal  purposes  in 
Havana  has  been  diverted  from  legitimate  channels  only 
to  find  its  way  into  the  pockets  of  those  who  have  had 
c large  of  municipal  affairs.  According  to  the  evidence  of 
-several  witnesses  who  appeared  before  the  author  in  Havana, 
a arge  amount  of  money  was  exacted  from  the  people  of 
the  aty  by  corruption,  in  the  way  of  petty  fines  paid  direct 
to  officials,  and  not  into  the  treasury  of  the  state,  and  also 
large  sums  of  money  in  the  shape  of  payment  for  indulg- 
ences, much  in  the  same  manner  as  the  Tammany  officials 
exact  tribute  from  those  conducting  illegitimate  business  or 


Municipal  Problems  in  Havana  189 

those  engaged  in  breaking  the  ordinances  of  the  city.  Re- 
lief from  this  sort  of  exaction  has  been  at  once  felt  in  Havana, 
but  will  not  be  fully  appreciated  until  the  present  Governor 
of  the  city  is  able  to  ferret  out  and  stop  these  several  forms 
of  imposition. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

BANKS  AND  CURRENCY 


'T'HE  heading  of  this  chapter  is  somewhat  misleading  for 
1 strictly  speaking,  Cuba  has  neither  banks  nor  currency 
that  is  of  her  own.  The  basis  of  the  money  which  circu- 
ated  in  Cuba  before  the  military  occupation  of  the  United 
ates  was  Spanish  gold,  principally  the  centen,  or  twenty- 
hv^seta  piece,  the  value  of  which  had  been  inflated  to 
>t>5-30  y royal  decree.  Owing  to  the  scarcity  of  this  coin 
and  to  the  fear  that  it  might  leave  the  Island,  in  1803  the 
rench  louis,  or  twenty-franc  piece  was  similarly  inflated 
by  royal  decree  and  made  legal  tender  in  Cuba  at  $4.24. 

ie  silver  coins  of  Cuba  were  of  Spanish  origin : the  peso , 
or  dollar,  the  medio  peso,  or  half  dollar,  the  peseta,  twenty- 
cent  piece,  the  real,  or  dime,  and  the  medio  real,  corre- 
sponding to  our  nickel.  There  are  also  the  usual  bronze 
coins  The  silver  money  of  Cuba  has  for  some  time  been 
wor  on  y its  market  value,  and  that  subject  to  daily 
c anges  At  various  periods  in  the  history  of  Cuba  the 
Spanish  Government  at  Madrid  has  attempted  to  force  bank 
bills  on  the  people  of  Cuba,  and  such  attempts,  as  a rule, 
lave  en  ed  disastrously  to  the  people  of  the  Island.  The 
panish  Bank  of  the  Island  of  Cuba,  a semi-official  institu- 
tion, whose  governor  was  appointed  by  the  Spanish  Govern- 
mcnt,  has  also  at  times  issued  bank  bills,  and  to  the  credit 
o this  institution  they  have  always  been  redeemed  ulti- 
mately. As  much  cannot  be  said  of  the  Government,  whose 
repudiated  bank  bills,  aggregating  about  $17,000,000,  are  at 
this  moment  only  worth  six  or  seven  cents  on  the  dollar 


Banks  and  Currency  191 

The  passing  of  the  control  of  the  Island  into  the  hands  of 
the  military  authorities  of  the  United  States  has  happily 
ended  all  the  currency  complications  of  Cuba,  and  the  order 
of  President  McKinley,  which  went  into  force  January  i, 
1899,  will  in  a short  time  not  only  bring  order  out  of  con- 
fusion, but  gradually  reduce  the  currency  systems  of  Cuba 
to  a sound  basis,  making  gold  and  silver  alike  worth  one 
hundred  cents  the  world  over — no  more,  no  less.  The 
object  of  this  order  is  not  only  to  unify  the  Cuban  currency, 
but  in  time  to  replace  the  present  system  by  the  monetary 
system  of  the  United  States. 

There  is  no  need  for  entering  further  into  the  history  of 
Cuban  currency,  but  in  the  following  pages  will  be  given  the 
reasons  which  led  up  to  the  Executive  Order  of  December 
28,  1898.  Considering  that  the  author  was  called  upon  by 
the  President  of  the  United  States  and  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  to  make  a report  upon  this  subject,  and  the  report 
was  subsequently  adopted  and  acted  upon,  therefore  the 
facts  herein  stated  may  be  regarded  as  official.  The  real 
point  at  issue  in  relation  to  Cuban  currency  and  the  only 
one  which  caused  the  United  States  authorities  any  trouble 
was  that  arising  from  the  inflation  by  royal  decree  of  the 
Spanish  twenty-five-/^/^:  pieces,  popularly  known  as  alfon- 
sinos,  or  centen,  and  the  subsequent  inflation  of  the  French 
twenty-franc  piece,  the  so-called  louis,  which,  as  we  have 
seen,  were  given  a legal  value  of  $4.24  and  decreed  since  the 
end  of  1893  as  legal  money. 

The  Spanish  authorities  at  Madrid,  having  thus  inflated 
two  gold  coins  six  per  cent,  above  their  current  value  and 
about  ten  per  cent,  above  their  intrinsic  value — for  the  mint 
value  of  these  two  coins  at  Havana  is  $4,776  and  $3.8208 
respectively — the  United  States  authorities  at  Washington 
were  now  called  upon  to  inflate  a third  gold  coin  and  make 
the  American  eagle  worth  $1 1 in  Cuba  and  our  $5  gold  piece 
current  there  at  $5.50.  As  a temporary  measure  this  might 
have  had  some  justification,  and  the  statements  in  support  of 
it  from  Cuban  bankers,  planters,  and  business  men  had  a cer- 


192 


Industrial  Cuba 


tain  degree  of  plausibility.  The  process,  however,  is  entirely 
artificial,  and  whatever  was  done  in  this  direction  to-day  must 
be  undone  some  other  day,  and  the  only  question  the  Ad- 
ministration had  to  decide  was  whether  the  inflation  should 
be  taken  out  when  the  United  States  authorities  took  pos- 
session or  the  operation  postponed  to  some  more  opportune 
time.  The  danger  in  following  the  advice  of  some  influen- 
tial financiers  of  Havana  lay  in  the  adoption  by  the  United 
States  Government  of  a bad  precedent  in  Cuban  financiering, 
inaugurated  by  the  Spanish  Government,  a precedent  for 
which  the  United  States  was  in  no  manner  responsible. 

The  reckoning  day  must  come  for  all  inflated  values 
whether  of  paper,  of  silver,  or  of  gold ; and  when  that  day 
comes  someone  will  suffer.  Fortunately,  in  this  case  the 
degree  of  suffering  was  small,  varying  only  from  six  to  ten 
per  cent.  The  practical  question  would  seem  to  be  how  to 
disinflate  these  two  coins  with  the  least  possible  disturbance 
to  mortgages,  contracts,  notes,  and  all  classes  of  existing 
agreements  to  pay  money. 

Current  matters  will  adjust  and  take  care  of  themselves. 
It  is  generally  known  that  all  transactions  in  Cuba  since  the 
close  of  the  war  have  been  made  with  the  belief  that  the 
United  States  would  not  continue  the  royal  decree  of  Spain, 
and  that  the  inflations  would  collapse  with  the  disappearance 
of  Spanish  rule. 

In  Santiago  the  author  found  the  bankers  and  financiers 
in  favour  of  leaving  matters  as  they  existed  and  adopting 
similar  methods  in  the  rest  of  the  Island,  namely,  reducing 
the  $5.30  gold  piece  to  $5.  This  was  the  view  taken  by  Mr. 
Schuman,  of  Schuman  & Co.,  Santiago. 

On  this  question  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Santiago, 
in  a thoughtfully  prepared  memorial,  submitted  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  say: 

“ It  is  frequently  difficult  in  this  market  to  effect  change,  espe- 
cially in  small  sales,  for  the  want  of  fractional  currency.  As  this 
makes  considerable  difference  in  transactions,  the  chamber  con- 


Banks  and  Currency 


i93 


siders  it  necessary  for  the  American  Government  to  remedy  this 
difficulty  by  sending  sufficient  silver  fractional  money,  utilising  it 
to  pay  the  army  of  occupation. 

“ This  chamber  has  heard  that  the  administration  of  the  cus- 
tom-house of  this  port  has  solicited  the  Government  at  Washing- 
ton to  declare  American  money  legal  and  obligatory  tender  in  all 
transactions  which  take  place  in  this  territory,  and  we  consider 
this  movement  premature,  as  the  political  situation  of  the  country 
is  not  settled  ; and  furthermore,  prejudicial  to  commercial  in- 
terests and  to  the  public  wealth  by  the  depreciation  it  would 
cause  in  the  Spanish  gold  in  circulation  and  for  the  difficulty  it 
will  occasion  through  the  lack  of  American  money  in  sufficient 
quantity  for  these  transactions.  For  this  reason  we  beg  that  this 
petition  will  not  be  considered,  it  being  even  more  inopportune, 
since  the  resolution  of  the  civil  governor  of  the  province  on  the 
first  of  August  last,  establishing  the  legal  value  of  Spanish  gold, 
is  just  and  has  given  satisfactory  results.” 

Speaking  to  the  author  on  the  same  subject,  Mr.  Brooks, 
of  Brooks  & Co.,  Santiago,  a careful  financier  and  capable 
business  man,  said : 

“ Regarding  the  currency  question,  we  should  also  be  inclined 
to  support  the  opinion  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  to  leave 
matters  as  they  are  at  present,  i.  e.,  the  Spanish  and  French  gold 
coins  having  been  disinflated,  to  leave  them  as  current  circulat- 
ing medium,  including  for  the  payment  of  custom-house  duties. 
It  is  also  always  a small  advantage  for  the  sugar  estates  to  pay 
their  labour  in  Spanish  gold  as  it  represents  a saving  of  three  to 
four  per  cent,  as  compared  with  paying  them  in  American  money, 
as  where  a planter  now  pays  $5  Spanish,  he  would,  with  a change 
in  the  circulating  medium,  have  to  pay  $5  American,  which 
would  represent  from  three  to  four  per  cent,  advance  in  wages 
without  receiving  any  compensation  from  his  sugar  shipped  to 
the  United  States,  from  which,  in  former  years,  and  with  inflated 
gold  values,  he  derived  an  advantage  of  ten  per  cent.” 

A partial  adjustment  of  the  question  was  suggested  to  the 
author  by  Dr.  Antonio  Jover,  director  of  the  Spanish  Bank 

*3 


i94 


Industrial  Cuba 


of  the  Island  of  Cuba,  and  as  Dr.  Jover  is  an  authority  on 
Cuban  finances,  the  statement  thus  made  is  quoted  in  full: 


“The  only  way  to  settle  all  the  difficulties  of  the  present 
Spanish  monetary  state  of  things  is  to  declare  legal  tender  the 
American  dollar  and  admit  at  par  all  Spanish  gold  coins. 

i.  Thus  the  onza  should  be  worth  $16  ; the  medio  onza  $8  ; 
the  doubloon,  $4  ; the  escudo,  $2  ; the  centen,  $5 — that  is,  pretty 
nearly  its  intrinsic  alloy  and  weight  value. 

“ 2.  The  English  sovereign  ought  to  be  taken  for  $5,  and  the 
French  louis  (which  circulates  in  Cuba  in  great  numbers)  for  $4. 

“This  arrangement,  that  slightly  improves  the  value  of  the 
Spanish  gold,— for  the  centen  is  worth  in  the  New  York  market 
$4.87  or  $4.90  at  the  utmost, — would  tend  to  drive  to  Cuba  the 
foreign  coins  of  this  country,  perfectly  useless  for  circulation. 
As  for  the  Spanish  silver,  it  is  considered  there  almost  as  a mer- 
chandise or  stock  value  subject  to  daily  quotation,  and  it  is  really 
troublesome  in  its  use.  Therefore  I would  propose  to  give  it  a 
fixed  value  in  American  gold,  thus — 


The  peso 

The  medio-peso 
The  peseta 

The  real 

The  medio-real . 


Value. 

$0.60 

•30 

.12 

.06 

.03 


This  value  is  a little  less  than  the  price  of  quotation  to-day, 
but  it  is  much  more  than  it  was  a few  months  ago,  but  I do 
not  think  acceptable  the  use  of  any  coin  without  a fixed,  invari- 
able value.  Now,  as  the  American  currency  and  the  American 
silver  would  stand  at  the  par  value,  and,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
Spanish  silver  is  at  the  present  quoted  higher  in  Spain,  there  too 
would  likely  go  a large  quantity,  if  not  all,  Spanish  silver  coins  ; 
that  nevertheless  would  not  be  objectionable,  but  rather  con- 
venient to  both  nations.  Bronze  or  copper  coins  should  be 
received  just  at  half  their  face  value  ; the  centavo  for  half  a cent 
American  gold,  and  the  two -centavo  piece  for  one  cent.  But  as 
this  implies  a change  in  the  standard  value  of  the  Spanish  gold 
dollar,  which  up  to  the  present  has  been  the  basis  of  all  contracts 
and  dealings  of  the  country,  it  will  be  necessary  to  fix  a date  to 
implant  the  new  system,  and  that  can  be  no  other  but  the  1st  of 


'95 


Banks  and  Currency 

January  next.  Hence,  from  that  date  all  money  transactions  will 
be  understood  to  be  on  the  basis  of  American  gold,  with  Amer- 
ican currency  ; Spanish,  French,  and  English  gold  at  par  value  ; 
American  silver  to  be  accepted  also  at  its  full  value  only  in 
quantities  not  exceeding  $5  ; Spanish  silver  at  the  stated  rate, 
and  foreign  silver  coin  as  merchandise. 

“ As  for  all  contracts  and  stipulations  in  money  matters  stand- 
ing at  present  to  be  fulfilled  after  the  appointed  date  of  the  1st 
of  January,  I believe  it  would  be  but  right  to  be  paid  off  with  six 
per  cent,  discount,  which  would  simply  disinflate  them,  because 
they  were  made  with  the  basis  of  gold  coins  which  had  six  per 
cent,  premium  ; and  discounting  the  same  six  per  cent,  when 
they  were  settled  with  coins  whose  said  premium  had  been  taken 
off,  although  the  intrinsic  value  of  which  coins  had  remained  un- 
altered during  the  time,  would  only  be  common  morality  and  fair 
equity.  Lastly,  all  those  who  would  attempt  to  alter  the  value  of 
money  ought  to  be  severely  punished,  according  to  the  law  of  the 
country.” 

With  these  supplemental  facts,  the  case  is  fully  and  im- 
partially before  the  reader.  To  accept  the  proposition  of 
the  Havana  bankers  meant  a continuation  of  the  inflated 
value  of  ten  per  cent.  To  concede  the  proposition  of  Dr. 
Jover  and  the  Santiago  financier  would  reduce  the  inflation 
about  six  per  cent.,  still  retaining  Spanish  and  French  gold 
in  circulation  at  a slightly  increased  value.  (Dr.  Jover  even 
includes  the  British  sovereign  at  $5.)  The  other  and  only 
remaining  course  would  be  to  accept  United  States  money 
at  its  full  value  for  customs  and  taxes  and  the  foreign  coins 
at  their  intrinsic  or  mint  value. 

After  carefully  considering  all  these  facts,  the  Honourable 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Lyman  J.  Gage,  prepared  and 
submitted  to  the  President  the  following  order  in  relation  to 
the  future  currency  of  Cuba: 

“ Executive  Mansion,  Washington, 
December  28,  1898. 

“It  is  hereby  ordered  that  on  and  after  January  1,  1899,  and 
until  otherwise  provided,  all  customs,  taxes,  public  and  postal 


196 


Industrial  Cuba 


dues  in  the  Island  of  Cuba  shall  be  paid  in  United  States  money 
or  in  foreign  gold  coin  such  as  the  Spanish  alfonsinos  (centenj 
and  the  French  louis,  which  will  be  accepted  in  payment  of  such 
customs,  taxes,  public  and  postal  dues  at  the  following  rates  : 

Alfonsinos  (25-peseta  piece) $482 

Louis  (20-franc  piece) 2 86 

That  all  existing  contracts  for  the  payments  of  money  shall 
be  payable  in  the  money  denominated  in  such  contracts  and 
where  French  and  Spanish  gold  shall  be  the  stipulated  money  of 
payment  they  shall  be  received  in  their  present  decreed  inflated 
values,  /.  ft,  alfonsinos  (25-peseta  piece)  $5.30;  louis  (20-franc 
piece)  $4.24,  or  in  United  States  money  at  the  relative  value  set 
forth  in  the  above  table,  namely,  $4.82  for  alfonsinos  (25-peseta 
piece)  and  $3.86  for  louis  (20-franc  piece). 

“ It  is  further  ordered  that  on  and  after  January  1,  1899,  and 
until  further  provided,  the  following  Spanish  silver  coins  now  in 
circulation  in  the  Island  of  Cuba  shall  be  received  for  customs, 
taxes,  public  and  postal  dues  at  the  following  fixed  rates  in 
American  money  : 


The  peso 

The  medio-peso 

The  peseta 

The  real 

The  medio-real. 


$0.60 

.30 

.12 

.06 

.03 


Bronze  and  copper  coins  now  current  in  the  Island  of  Cuba 
will  be  received  at  their  face  value  for  fractional  parts  of  a dollar 
in  a single  payment  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  12  cents  (1 
peseta). 


“William  McKinley." 


In  signing  and  promulgating  the  above  order,  the  currency 
question  of  Cuba  has  been  settled  for  all  time  to  come  on  a 
sound  basis.  In  offering  to  accept  for  the  present  the  Cuban 
peso  or  silver  dollar  for  sixty  cents,  American  money,  the 
United  States  Government  merely  delays  the  migration  of 
the  coin  to  Spain.  At  this  price  it  is  profitable  to  ship  them 
to  Spain,  but  at  fifty  cents  they  would  have  disappeared  so 
rapidly  that  a commercial  disturbance  might  have  followed 
on  account  of  scarcity  of  silver  dollars  and  fractional  cur- 


FIRE  DEPARTMENT,  SANTIAGO  DE  CUBA. 


i97 


Banks  and  Currency 

rency.  It  is  not  probable,  nor  is  it  asserted  that  this  adjust- 
ment can  be  accomplished  without  hardship  to  some  debtors 
and  a slight  financial  disturbance.  It  is  not,  however, 
apprehended  that  the  trouble  will  be  as  great  as  some  have 
anticipated.  In  Santiago  the  first  step  to  absolutely  sound 
finance  was  taken  last  summer  and  six  per  cent,  of  the  in- 
flation squeezed  out.  The  business  interests  in  that  part  of 
the  Island  were  opposed  to  a continuation  of  the  ten  per 
cent,  inflation,  and  merely  asked  of  the  United  States  Gov- 
ernment that  the  several  gold  coins  in  circulation  should  be 
left  at  their  face  value.  As  one  of  the  evils  arising  from 
disinflation,  certain  Cuban  bankers  put  forward  the  fact 
that  it  will  mean  an  increase  of  from  four  to  ten  per  cent,  in 
the  wages  of  labour,  which  Cuban  industries  cannot  afford. 
Such  a result,  if  true,  cannot  be  regarded  as  an  evil,  but,  on 
the  contrary,  a benefit  to  the  poorer  classes,  whose  condition 
in  Cuba  is  deplorable  beyond  description. 

In  the  iron  mines  at  Santiago  the  large  American  enter- 
prises have  already  adjusted  themselves  to  the  new  condi- 
tions and  are  paying  their  labour  seventy-five  cents  per  day 
American  currency  instead  of  a Spanish  dollar  worth  sixty- 
five  cents  in  Cuba  and  only  sixty  cents  in  exchange  for 
United  States  currency.  The  author,  when  in  the  mining 
districts  of  this  province,  heard  no  complaints,  either  from 
the  proprietors  or  the  labourers.  Stress  was  laid  in  the 
arguments  before  the  President  and  Secretary  Gage  upon 
the  loss  to  the  debtor  who  has  borrowed  on  a fictitious 
value  and  must  pay  the  premium,  and  the  unfortunate 
Cuban  sugar-planter  is  especially  singled  out  for  sympathy. 
That  the  planter  will  suffer  cannot  be  denied,  but  the  advent 
of  the  United  States  into  Cuba  will  lighten  so  many  of  his 
burdens  that  his  condition  is  not  without  hope.  All  the 
customs  duties  on  his  imported  food  supplies,  as  will  be 
seen  in  the  chapter  on  the  tariff,  have  been  reduced,  and 
many  important  commodities  put  upon  the  free  list.  The 
duty  on  his  sugar  machinery  has  been  reduced  to  ten  per 
cent,  ad  valorem ; on  his  locomotives  and  railway  supplies 


198 


Industrial  Cuba 


to  t\\ent\  per  cent. ; and  all  along  the  line  the  taxes  have 
been  cut  down.  . It  is  not  probable  that  his  land  taxes  will 
be  collected  during  the  present  fiscal  year,  and  the  return  of 
peace,  establishment  of  law  and  order,  and  protection  of 
property  will  immeasurably  improve  his  lot.  If,  therefore, 
the  sugar-planter  of  Cuba  will  gauge  his  present  outlook  by 
a glance  backward  and  compare  it  with  his  condition  last 
year  at  this  time,  he  may  face  the  new  year  with  less  gloomy 
premonitions  as  to  his  future  than  some  of  the  testimony 
taken  by  the  United  States  Government  on  the  effects  of 
disinflation  would  indicate.  The  action  of  the  President,  by 
and  with  the  advice  of  the  able  financier  at  the  head  of  the 
Treasury  Department,  will  give  Cuba  a sound  currency, 
which  must  be  the  foundation  of  her  future  fiscal  prosperity. 

The  proof  of  the  poverty  of  Cuba  is  a scarcity  of  capital, 
manifest  in  many  different  ways.  The  difficulty,  not  to  say 
the  impossibility,  of  selling  sugar  plantations  proves  the 
scarcity  of  capital  and  at  the  same  time  the  precarious  situ- 
ation of  the  sugar  industry.  The  decrease  in  the  price  of 
property  is  a natural  consequence  of  lack  of  disposable  capi- 
tal, and  this  is  why  the  rate  of  money  is  so  high  ; it  can  only 
be  caused  by  lack  of  capital,  and  not  of  money,  since  scarc- 
ity or  abundance  of  money  has  only  a limited  influence  on 
rates  of  interest.  Nearly  all  the  banks  established  for  the 
last  twenty  or  thirty  years  in  Cuba  have  disappeared,  owing 
to  the  losses  experienced  by  the  gradual  increase  of  the  pov- 
erty of  the  country ; the  want  of  resources  rendering  it  im- 
possible to  start  these  banks  anew  or  establish  new  ones 
with  Cuban  capital. 

A few  years  ago  there  were  in  Havana,  besides  the  Span- 
ish Bank  and  the  Bank  of  Commerce,  the  Industrial  Bank, 
the  San  Jos6,  the  Alianza,  the  Maritime  Security  Bank,  and 
the  Caja  de  Ahorros  (savings  bank).  Excepting  the  first 
two,  all  have  stopped  working,  and  if  the  two  surviving 
ones  have  outlived  the  others,  it  is  because  the  Spanish 
Bank  enjoys  official  privilege,  and  because  the  Bank  of 
Commerce,  though  compelled  twice  to  reduce  its  capital, 


i99 


Banks  and  Currency 

owns  valuable  property,  as,  for  example,  the  Regia  ware- 
houses and  the  United  Railroads,  which  property,  if  the 
Island  were  prosperous,  would  be  worth  several  millions 
more  than  it  is  to-day. 

It  is  almost  incredible  that,  having  such  extensive  rela- 
tions with  foreign  countries,  the  condition  of  banks  in  Cuba 
should  be  so  precarious,  especially  as  the  Island  feels  more 
every  year  the  need  of  banking  facilities,  without  which  no 
modern  country  can  prosper.  Although  not  as  important 
as  regular  banks,  savings  banks  are  a gauge  of  public  wealth, 
since  their  object  is  to  gather  the  economies  of  the  working 
classes  and  create  capital  for  the  promotion  of  industries. 
The  only  savings  bank  in  Cuba  failed  in  1884,  ruining  in  its 
fall  not  only  those  who  had  deposited  their  funds,  but  also 
the  shareholders;  and  to  this  day  no  other  institution  has 
been  established  to  take  its  place,  and  at  the  present  mo- 
ment there  is  not  a single  public  institution  where  money 
can  be  deposited  in  large  or  small  quantities  earning  interest ! 

In  foreign  countries  the  thrift  of  the  working  classes  is 
the  corner-stone  of  new  industries.  Are  there  in  Cuba  any 
economies  or  annual  profits  that  can  be  capitalised  ? The 
sugar  industry,  the  base  of  Cuban  wealth,  yields  to-day  no 
profit  save  in  exceptional  cases.  The  tobacco  industry 
since  1895  has  been  in  a critical  condition,  and  as  all  the 
other  industries  depend  on  these  two,  or  are  of  compara- 
tively limited  importance,  it  may  be  said  that  work  and 
capital  yield  no  profit  in  Cuba  at  present;  since  either  no 
profits  are  realised,  or,  if  they  are,  they  leave  the  Island. 
This  aspect  of  the  present  economic  situation  of  Cuba  is  of 
immense  importance  and  not  only  explains  the  actual  situa- 
tion at  this  moment,  but  shows  that  the  hope  of  improve- 
ment alone  lies  in  the  prosperity  of  these  industries. 

The  history  of  banking  in  Cuba  is  sad  with  financial  dis- 
asters. The  only  bank  which  has  survived  during  half  a 
century  is  the  Spanish  Bank  of  the  Island  of  Cuba.  This 
concern  was  originally  chartered  as  the  Spanish  Bank  of 
Havana,  and  although  it  was  a private  institution,  owned 


200 


Industrial  Cuba 


y s areholders,  the  Spanish  Government  maintained  the 
right  of  appointing  the  governor,  and  in  many  other  ways 
controlled  its  actions.  At  various  times  this  bank  has  itself 
issued  bank  bills,  and  at  other  times  it  has  been  the  medium 
through  which  the  Spanish  Government  endeavoured  to 
circulate  its  own  paper  money.  The  notes  of  the  bank  itself 
as  already  stated,  have  never  been  repudiated,  though  during 
hard  times,  as  a result  of  the  Ten  Years’  War,  the  bank  bills 
of  the  Spanish  Bank  were  at  a small  discount.  Sixteen 
>ears  ago  the  Spanish  Bank  of  Havana  was  reorganised  and 
the  name  changed  to  the  Spanish  Bank  of  the  Island  of 
Cuba.  At  the  present  time  this  bank  has  no  bills  in  circula- 
tion ; the  paper  currency  now  valued  at  but  a few  cents  on 
the  dollar,  which  was  issued  during  the  war  by  the  Spanish 
Government  through  the  Spanish  Bank  of  the  Island  of 
Cuba,  is  not  regarded  by  the  shareowners  of  the  bank  nor 
by  the  public  as  the  issue  of  the  bank  itself.  The  history 
of  these  bills  is  briefly  as  follows:  In  order  to  meet  the  ex- 
penses of  the  last  war,  the  Spanish  Government  arranged  to 
issue  $20,000,000  worth  of  paper  money.  As  a security  and 
partial  fund  for  redemption  of  the  same,  the  Madrid  authori- 
ties deposited  in  the  vaults  of  the  Spanish  Bank  of  the  Island 
of  Cuba  $6,330,000  in  silver  against  this  issue.  For  a while 
this  bullion,  together  with  the  mandate  of  the  Spanish  Gov- 
ernment that  these  bills  must  be  accepted  as  legal  tender 
kept  the  currency  floating  somewhat  below  par.  The  people 
of  Cuba,  however,  had  been  deceived  so  many  times  in  re- 
lation to  paper  money  that  they  were  suspicious  of  these 
bills  from  the  beginning,  and  when  in  due  course  of  time 
bpain  gradually  and  dishonestly  absorbed  from  the  bank  all 
silver  upon  which  the  paper  money  had  been  issued,  the 
bills  depreciated  until  they  were  absolutely  refused  in  all 
business  transactions.  This  entailed  considerable  loss,  as 
the  street  railways  and  cabs  of  the  city  were  compelled  to 
take  them  in  spite  of  this  great  depreciation  in  value, 
r inally,  they  were  repudiated  on  all  sides.  A temporary 
value  was  given  this  paper  by  accepting  ten  per  cent,  in  the 


Banks  and  Currency 


201 


payment  of  customs  dues.  This  raised  it  up  to  twelve  to 
fifteen  cents  on  the  dollar.  Immediately  upon  the  military 
occupancy  of  the  United  States  the  value  of  these  bills  fell 
still  lower,  and  they  are  to-day  worth  but  a few  cents  on 
the  dollar,  and  are  held  chiefly  by  Government  contractors 
and  speculators. 

Realising  that  a decided  change  would  take  place  in  bank- 
ing as  soon  as  the  United  States  took  charge  of  affairs,  the 
shareholders  of  the  Bank  of  Spain  met  some  months  ago 
in  Havana  and  reorganised  the  bank,  making  it  a private 
concern,  and  changing  its  by-laws  so  that  it  could  do  busi- 
ness as  a private  institution,  untrammelled  by  Government 
interference. 

Among  other  uses  to  which  the  Government  of  Spain  put 
the  Spanish  Bank  was  that  of  a collecting  agency  for  prac- 
tically all  taxes  other  than  those  of  the  custom-houses. 
The  value  of  receipts  for  direct  taxation  that  have  been  de- 
livered for  collection  to  the  Spanish  Bank  of  the  Island  of 
Cuba,  from  the  fiscal  year  1885-86,  when  this  institution 
commenced  the  collection,  with  right  of  seizure,  to  1894-95, 
both  inclusive,  actual  amounts  collected,  deductions,  and 
amounts  pending  collection  as  per  vouchers,  and  accounts 
rendered  to  the  Treasury  by  this  institution,  are  as  follows: 


Fiscal  Years. 

Face  Value. 

Collected. 

Deductions  for 
which  Bank 
was  not 
responsible. 

Pending 

Collections. 

Per  cent, 
of  face 
value  un- 
collected. 

Pesos  C. 

Pesos  C. 

Pesos  C. 

Pesos  C. 

1885-86 

5,021,271.25 

4,561,976.18 

438,029.78 

21,265.29 

0.423 

1886-87 

5,240,651.50 

4.655.776.10 

547,435-19 

37,440.21 

0.714 

1887-88 

5,386,627.83 

4,758,446.22 

575,840.11 

52,341-50 

0.971 

1888-89 

5,316,367.75 

4,694,829.26 

549,628.25 

71,910.24 

1.352 

18811-90 

4,878,047.21 

4,304,196.24 

497,220.89 

76,630.08 

1.570 

1890-91 

5,336,611.25 

4,659,477.26 

571,994.17 

105,139.82 

1.970 

1891-92.,.  . . . 

4,242,982.34 

3,696.877.74 

428,374.80 

117,729.80 

2.774 

1892-93 

5,357,928.97 

4,635,278.61 

572,890.51 

149.759-85 

2.795 

1893-94 

5,092,200.41 

4,505,426.32 

432,163.62 

154,610.47 

3036 

1894-95 

5,163,321.70 

4,421,631.99 

534,492.41 

207,197.30 

4.012 

51,036,010.21 

44,893,915.92 

5,148,069.73 

994,024.56 

202 


Industrial  Cuba 


The  above  table  gives  a good  idea  of  how  this  arrange- 
ment worked  during  normal  times.  There  were  two  or 
three  features  in  it,  however,  which  were  bad,  and  which  the 
author  is  glad  to  notice  that  the  United  States  Government 
in  renewing  the  agreement  of  the  Bank  of  Spain  for  the 
present  fiscal  year,  that  is,  the  year  ending  June  30,  1899, 
has  obliterated.  The  Spanish  Government  paid  the  five  per- 
cent. on  the  receipts  given  the  bank,  and  not  on  the  money 
collected.  This  resulted  in  great  abuses,  because  the  delin- 
quents during  the  years  of  war  were  fifteen,  sixteen,  and 
forty-three  per  cent,  respectively.  The  punishment  of  de- 
linquents has  also  been  considerably  modified  by  the  United 
States  authorities. 

The  following  table  gives  the  receipts  for  direct  taxation 
that  have  been  delivered  for  collection  to  the  Spanish  Bank 
of  the  Island  of  Cuba  from  the  fiscal  year  1895-96  to  1896-97, 
both  inclusive,  actual  amounts  collected,  deductions,  and 
receipts  pending  collection  up  to  December  12,  1898,  as  per 
data  at  hand  in  the  Spanish  Bank: 


Fiscal  Years. 

Face  Value. 

Collected. 

Deductions  for 
which  Bank  is 
not  responsible. 

Pending 

Collections. 

Per  cent, 
of  face 
value  un- 
collected. 

1895-96 

$ 4,802,936.66 
4,589.735-08 
4,341,112.87 

$3,460,998.24 

3,283,286.51 

2,250,806.74 

$ 579,002.52 
547,975.70 

223,119.47 

$ 762,935.90 
758,472.87 
1,867,186.66 

15-S8 

16.52 

43-01 

1896-97 

1897-98 

$13,733,784-61 

$8,995,091.49 

$1,350,097.69 

$3,388,595.43 

This  table  and  the  one  preceding  it  were  prepared  for  the 
author  by  the  governor  of  the  Spanish  Bank  of  the  Island 
of  Cuba  and  differ  from  the  table  prepared  by  the  Spanish 
authorities  which  will  be  found  in  the  chapter  on  the  revenue 
of  Cuba.  In  the  report  furnished  by  the  officials,  the  face 
value  of  the  tax  receipts  is  given  in  one  column  and  the 
actual  amount  collected  in  another,  the  third  column  show- 
ing, under  the  caption  of  “ Total  Delinquent  Taxes,”  the 
amounts  uncollected,  without  any  explanation  as  to  why 


Banks  and  Currency 


203 


they  were  not  collected.  The  governor  of  the  Spanish 
Bank  in  the  two  tables  given  above  includes  a fourth 
column,  namely,  deductions  for  which  the  bank  was  not 
responsible.  The  bank  authorities  claim  that  the  amounts 
represented  in  this  column  were  receipts  which  were  not 
valid,  inasmuch  as  they  were  claims  in  many  cases  upon 
persons  dead  and  upon  property  which  had  been  destroyed 
by  fire.  The  governor  of  the  bank  thinks  it  an  injustice  to 
the  bank  to  add  these  under  the  general  head  of  delinquent 
taxes,  without  this  explanation. 

It  is  easy  to  enforce  and  collect  the  customs  duties;  but 
the  collection  of  internal  revenue  taxes  is  a much  more  diffi- 
cult matter.  The  United  States  authorities  found,  on 
coming  into  possession  of  the  Island  of  Cuba,  January  1st, 
that  all  the  receipts  of  taxes  for  the  present  fiscal  year  were 
in  the  hands  of  the  Spanish  Bank  of  the  Island  of  Cuba; 
that  this  institution  had  not  only  six  or  seven  branch  banks 
in  various  parts  of  the  Island,  but  also  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  258  sub-district  or  collecting  agencies.  The  bank  assumed 
all  the  responsibility  of  these  agencies,  and  it  was  decided 
to  place  in  its  hands  for  the  present  fiscal  year  this  work, 
for  the  reason  that  it  had  all  the  machinery  and  there  would 
be  no  loss  in  revenue.  An  agreement  was  entered  into  be- 
tween the  Spanish  Bank  of  the  Island  of  Cuba  and  the 
United  States  military  authorities,  and  an  order  issued  from 
Washington  to  the  bank  to  make  the  collection,  but  the 
arrangement  engendered  such  opposition  among  the  Cubans 
that  the  order  was  revoked  and  the  work  was  placed  entirely 
in  the  hands  of  the  American  authorities  under  General 
Brooke. 


CHAPTER  XIV 


PAYMENT  OF  INSURGENT  SOLDIERS 


THE  question  of  the  payment  of  insurgent  soldiers  and 
of  certain  legitimate  indebtedness  incurred  by  the  in- 
surgent government  has  an  important  bearing  upon  the 
civil,  if  not  the  industrial  reconstruction  of  the  Island  of 
Cuba.  This  matter  was  referred  to  a commission  of  Cuban 
officers,  consisting  of  General  Garcia,  General  Jos<§  Miguel 
Gomez,  Colonel  Manuel  Sanguily,  Colonel  Jos6  Ramon 
Villalon,  Dr.  Jose  Gonzales  Lanuza,  Seflor  Gonzalo  de 
Quesada,  and  Mr.  Horatio  S.  Rubens,  who  acted  as  inter- 
preter. This  commission  came  to  Washington  in  November 
for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  the  pacification  of  the  people  of 
Cuba.  General  Garcia  unhappily  was  taken  ill  of  pneumonia 
and  died.  This  delayed  the  work  somewhat  and  took  from 
the  commission  one  of  its  strongest  members.  The  com- 
mission had  several  informal  interviews  with  the  President, 
the  members  of  the  Cabinet,  and  finally  with  the  author, 
who,  as  Special  Commissioner  for  the  United  States  to  Cuba, 
took  the  testimony  of  these  gentlemen  and  prepared  a report 
on  the  subject  for  the  consideration  of  the  President  and 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  The  substance  of  this  report  is 
of  permanent  public  interest,  as  it  was  the  first  official  step 
towards  the  settlement  of  a question  that  must  be  adjusted 
before  the  entire  Cuban  army  will  disband  and  go  to  work. 
It  also  has  considerable  bearing  upon  the  industrial  future 
of  Cuba. 

The  gentlemen  comprising  this  commission  were  briefly 
informed  by  the  author  as  to  the  work  committed  to  him, 

204 


Payment  of  Insurgent  Soldiers  205 

namely,  an  inquiry  into  the  economic  condition  of  the 
Island  of  Cuba  and  the  recommendation  of  such  measures 
for  the  commercial  and  industrial  reconstruction  of  that 
country  as  might  appear  advisable  after  impartially  consult- 
ing all  interests.  They  were  told  that  so  far  as  the  United 
States  was  concerned,  Cuba  had  won  her  economic  and  in- 
dustrial freedom.  That  the  work  had  been  performed  with 
scrupulous  regard  to  the  interest  of  the  people  of  Cuba. 
That  the  aim  had  been  the  rehabilitation  of  its  industries 
and  the  building  up  of  the  country  generally  with  as  little 
friction  as  possible.  That  in  accordance  with  instructions 
received  from  both  the  President  and  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  the  tariff  of  Cuba  had  been  framed  so  that  there 
should  be  no  discrimination  in  favour  of  the  United  States, 
and  that  the  same  tariff  laws  would  be  applied  alike  to  all 
countries,  so  that  Cuba  was  now  free  to  purchase  her  sup- 
plies in  the  world’s  markets  wherever  they  were  best  and 
cheapest,  and  not  compelled  to  buy  in  a dear  market,  as 
under  Spanish  rule.  They  were  furthermore  informed  that 
hereafter  the  revenues  of  the  country  were  to  be  used  ex- 
clusively for  the  economical  and  honest  government  of  the 
Island  and  that  the  largest  portion  would  not  be  drained 
away  to  pay  the  enormous  interest  charged  (aggregating 
$10,500,000)  upon  an  indebtedness  which  had  unrighteously 
been  saddled  upon  a people  already  bowed  down  under  the 
double  yoke  of  war  and  debt.  Lastly  they  were  asked  to 
state  fully  and  frankly,  as  citizens  of  Cuba,  their  views  on 
any  subject  bearing  upon  the  reconstruction  of  Cuba. 

In  reply,  these  gentlemen  said,  in  substance,  that  they 
were  entirely  satisfied  with  the  course  the  Government  of 
the  United  States  had  pursued  in  relation  to  these  economic 
questions,  and  realised  the  fact  that  Cuba  had  become  free, 
commercially  and  industrially.  They  then  proceeded  to 
discuss  the  important  problem  of  how  the  existing  transitory 
condition  of  the  Island  could  best  be  changed  to  a perma- 
nent civil  life,  without  friction  in  Cuba  or  trouble  and  annoy- 
ance throughout  the  United  States.  Their  purpose,  they 


206 


Industrial  Cuba 


avowed,  was  simply  to  co-operate  with  the  United  States 
toward  the  restoration  of  order,  without  which,  in  their 
opinion,  there  could  be  no  reconstruction  of  industries  and 
no  return  of  prosperity.  Their  purpose  was,  they  assured 
the  author,  to  advise  with  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
to  the  end  that  everything  might  be  harmonious  and  that 
the  people  of  Cuba  might  get  to  work  as  soon  as  possible. 

Speaking  for  all  the  gentlemen  above  named,  Colonel  Tos6 
R.  Villalon  said: 


“The  discharge  of  the  army  of  Cuba  is  a very  complex  and 
ifficult  problem.  It  has  to  be  done  for  humanity’s  sake,  in  one 
sense;  those  men  who  have  been  working  and  suffering  have  to 
be  remunerated  in  some  way.  But  that  is  not  the  only  point  of 
view.  We  have  got  to  look  towards  the  maintaining  of  order  and 
we  have  got  to  give  them  compensation  or  gratification  or  a cer- 
tain amount  of  money  with  which  they  can  go  back  to  their 
homes  and  their  agricultural  labours.  In  doing  that  we  have  a 
duty  to  our  country  so  far  as  the  Cubans  are  concerned,  but,  at 
the  same  time,  it  seems  to  me  that  it  is  a high  political  measure 
on  the  part  of  the  United  States  to  prevent  now  what  would 
afterwards  be  very  difficult  to  suppress.  If  we  scatter  these 
30,000  men  (approximately)  throughout  the  country  without  any 
resources  whatever— men  who  for  the  last  two  or  three  years 
have  been  accustomed  to  live  upon  the  resources  of  the  country 
or  forage  on  the  enemy  and  who  are  used  to  the  hardships  of 
the  campaign— it  will  not  be  very  difficult  to  foresee  that  in  spite 
of  the  good  nature  and  good  disposition  of  the  people  these  men 
will  be  forced  to  do  what  they  do  not  wish  to  do  by  their  nature. 
If  the  men  are  left  as  they  are,  with  their  present  needs  unsup- 
plied, they  will  go  to  the  woods  and  will  be  a source  of  disorder 
and  brigandage,  which  will  be  very  difficult  for  the  United  States 
to  suppress  ; and  for  the  sake  possibly  of  saving  a few  million 
dollars  now  the  nation  will  be  obliged  afterwards  to  spend  many 
more  millions,  in  addition  to  the  sacrifice  of  many  lives.  It  is 
an  economic  question.  Unless  something  is  done  to  relieve  their 
needs  the  disorder  of  the  Island  will  be  prolonged  indefinitely. 
As  an  example,  I would  call  attention  to  the  case  of  your  Indians 


MORRO  CASTLE,  SANTIAGO  DE  CUBA. 


Payment  of  Insurgent  Soldiers  207 

in  this  country,  who  now  and  then  break  away.  In  Cuba  the 
condition  will  be  worse,  for  there  they  would  have  the  shelter 
of  the  woods,  and  besides  the  Americans  would  not  be  able  to 
stand  the  climate  as  well  as  they  stand  their  own.  Ultimately, 
of  course,  they  will  succumb,  but  it  will  be  at  the  cost  of  a 
great  many  lives  and  a great  many  millions  of  dollars. 

“ Besides,  there  is  another  thing  ; that  if  to-day  we  provide 
for  their  needs  and  restore  order,  it  is  the  wish  of  every  inhabit- 
ant of  Cuba  to  contribute  their  share  towards  this.  If  these 
men  are  supplied  now,  they  will  not  have  the  moral  support  of 
the  people  of  Cuba  should  they  not  go  to  work  ; but  the  people 
of  Cuba  will  see  that  they  are  punished.  If,  however,  they  had 
the  moral  support  of  the  people  of  Cuba  it  would  be  difficult  to 
punish  them. 

“ There  is  another  point,  and  that  is  with  regard  to  the  amount 
of  money  required.  Although  they  have  not  said  anything  about 
this,  nevertheless,  there  is  a tendency  to  lessen  this  amount. 
We  want  to  say  that  although  the  measure,  in  principle,  will  be 
very  good,  even  if  it  does  not  attend  to  all  of  the  needs  at  pre- 
sent ; though  it  will  be  a moral  obligation  from  ourselves  to  the 
United  States,  it  will  not  solve  the  problem,  because  the  sum 
determined  upon  is  not  enough.  If  the  revenues  of  the  Island  of 
Cuba  ought  to  be  mortgaged  to  repay  whatever  advances  they 
have  received  from  the  United  States  now,  it  will  not  be  a very 
difficult  matter  to  make  this  amount  a few  millions  more.” 

The  above  gives  a fair  summary  of  the  general  tenor  of 
the  testimony  taken,  and  it  is  believed  fairly  represents  the 
views  of  these  gentlemen.  Testimony  was  also  taken  in 
relation  to  the  payment  of  certain  legitimate  debts  which, 
as  these  gentlemen  felt,  the  good  faith  of  the  people  of  Cuba 
had  been  pledged  to  pay.  On  being  asked  the  probable 
amount  of  this  indebtedness,  they  said  it  was  not  in  excess 
of  $2,250,000  or  $2,500,000.  The  first  and  most  important 
matter  and  the  one  which,  they  insist,  will  have  much  to  do 
with  the  pacification  of  the  Island,  is  the  payment  of  some 
sort  of  compensation  to  the  impoverished  Cuban  soldiers. 
These  gentlemen  were  asked  if  they  had  in  their  posses- 


2 IO 


Industrial  Cuba 


question  for  all  time  to  come.  Especially  if  all  other  ad- 
vances for  these  purposes  were  prohibited  until  such  debt 
was  adjusted  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  United  States.  In 
case  the  ultimate  solution  of  the  Cuban  question  should  be, 
as  it  is  quite  within  the  range  of  probability,  annexation, 
the  independent  government  will  not  previously  have  had 
the  opportunity  of  incurring  improvident  indebtedness, 
which  ultimately  may  have  to  be  assumed  by  the  United 
States.  In  short,  whatever  may  be  done  in  this  matter,  or 
however  it  may  be  done,  the  United  States  should  control 
and  safeguard  the  finances  of  the  Island  for  a considerable 
period.  It  has  been  very  truly  stated  that  should  an  inde- 
pendent government  be  established  and  recognised,  the 
United  States  will  no  longer  be  able  to  control  the  financial 
legislation  of  the  Island.  It  can,  however,  by  the  plan  pro- 
posed, and  very  properly,  not  only  save  money  for  Cuba 
while  under  its  military  possession  or  control,  but  also  pre- 
vent the  making  of  unnecessary  improvident  or  other  loans 
by  such  independent  government,  except  with  the  consent, 
or  approval  in  advance,  of  the  United  States.  This  can  be 
readily  done,  if,  when  making  an  advance  for  the  benefit  of 
Cuba,  the  right  to  apply  the  customs  receipts  and  other 
revenues  of  the  Island  to  the  repayment  of  the  principal 
and  interest  of  such  advance  be  reserved  to  the  United 
States.  In  this  way  all  reckless  expenditure  may  be  pre- 
vented and  all  speculative  or  independent  bond  issues  be 
avoided  and  at  the  same  time  quick  assistance  be  rendered 
those  whose  position  at  present  is  deplorable  in  the  extreme. 


CHAPTER  XV 


REVENUE— CUSTOMS  TARIFF 


THE  revenues  and  expenditures  of  the  Island  of  Cuba  for 
the  fiscal  year  1898-99,  according  to  the  reports  ob- 
tained by  the  author  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
Marquis  Rafael  Montoro,  may  be  thus  summarised: 

BALANCE  OF  THE  ESTIMATED  RECEIPTS  AND  EXPENDITURES 
OF  THE  BUDGET  OF  THE  ISLAND  OF  CUBA  FOR  189S-99 


Expenditures. 


Sovereignty  Expendi- 
ture  

Local. 

General  Expenditures. 
State  - Church,  Justice, 
and  Government. . . . 

Treasury 

Public  Instruction 

Public  Works  and  Com- 
munications  

Agriculture,  Industry, 
and  Commerce 


Amount. 


Receipts. 


$22, 500,808. 5g 

I5g,605.50 

1,612,859.44 

708^78.51 

247,033.02 


Taxes  and  Imposts 

Custom-Houses 

Internal  Revenue 

Lotteries 

State  Property 

Miscellaneous  Revenue.. 

Estimates  of  Total  Reve- 
nue  


1,036,582.10 


Amount. 


$ 6,142,500 
14,705,000 
1,640,650 
1, goo, 500 
435,000 
1,536,000 


$26,359,650 


108,178.52 


Deduct  Amounts  not 
Specified 

T otal 


$26,374,045.68 

i7,3i4-27 

$26,356,731.41 


Receipts $26,359,650.00 

Expenses 26,356,731.41 


Surplus 


$2,918.59 


While  the  revenues  are  all  derived  from  the  various 
species  of  taxation  exacted  from  the  people  of  Cuba,  the 
expenditures  are  divided  into  two  important  classes:  those 
under  the  head  of  “ Sovereignty  Expenses,”  or  expenses  of 


211 


212 


Industrial  Cuba 


the  General  Government,  which,  according  to  this  estimate, 
aggregate  $22,500,808.59,  and  those  which,  under  the  head 
of  “Local  Expenses”  aggregating  $3,873,237.09,  constitute 
the  expenditures  for  the  immediate  necessities  of  the  Island. 
In  order  to  obtain  a clear  view  of  the  possibilities  of  revenue 
and  the  probable  future  expenses  of  the  Island  of  Cuba,  these 
receipts  and  expenditures  should  be  further  examined. 

Taxes  in  Cuba,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  above  exhibit, 
are  collected  under  six  general  classifications,  namely:  (1) 
taxes  and  imposts,  including  excise  and  liquor  taxes,  and 
taxes  on  railway  freight  and  passengers;  (2)  receipts  from 
custom-houses,  which  include  taxes  on  imports  and  exports, 
loading  and  unloading  merchandise,  fines  and  passports ; (3) 
internal  revenue,  including  stamped  paper,1  postage  stamps, 
warrants  for  payment  issued  by  the  State,  diplomas  and 
titles,  stamps  on  letters  of  exchange  or  deeds  of  transfer,  on 
insurance  policies,  on  matches,  and  on  almost  every  other 
conceivable  sort  of  deed  and  document;  (4)  lotteries,  are  put 
down  in  the  above  table  as  yielding  $1,900,500;  (5)  revenue 
from  State  property,  including  rents  and  sale  of  lands  and 
rent  from  docks;  (6)  revenue  from  miscellaneous  sources, 
some  of  which  seem  somewhat  mythical.  These  comprise 
the  general  sources  of  revenue  which  appear  in  this  report, 
and  from  which  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Marquis 
Montoro,  informed  the  author  he  hoped  to  secure  for  the 
fiscal  year  1898-99  the  following  sums: 


Sources  of  Revenue.  Estimated  Amount 

Spanish  Gold. 

Taxes  and  Imposts $ 6,142,500 

Custom-Houses 14,705,000 

Internal  Revenue 1,640,650 

Lotteries 1,900,500 

State  Property 435,000 

Miscellaneous  Revenue 1,536,000 


Total  Estimated  Revenue $26,359,650 


1 In  Cuba  you  must  use  stamped  paper  in  writing  to  government  officials. 
The  higher  the  official,  the  more  expensive  the  stamped  paper  to  be  used,  and 
as  only  a certain  number  of  words  are  allowed  per  sheet,  correspondence  with 
those  in  authority  may  become  expensive. 


Revenue — Customs  Tariff 


213 


As  to  how  much  of  this  has  been  collected  or  how  much 
can  be  collected,  it  is  impossible  to  say  with  any  degree  of 
certainty.  Spanish  official  reports  are  not  very  reliable 
documents  at  the  best,  and  during  the  last  three  years  of 
internal  dissensions,  frequent  changes  in  officials,  and  war, 
they  appear  to  be  at  their  worst.  The  only  possible  light 
on  the  subject  which  the  author  was  able  to  obtain  was  a 
statement  of  the  actual  taxes  as  levied  between  1887  and 
1897,  inclusive,  and  the  actual  amounts  collected  at  the 
custom-houses  and  by  the  Spanish  Bank  of  the  Island  of 
Cuba,  for  under  Spanish  administration  the  latter  institution 
collected  all  taxes  other  than  customs. 

According  to  these  figures,  the  custom-house  receipts  of 
Cuba  fell  from  $14,708,509.10  in  1895  to  $9,648,369.94  in 
1897-98.  While  the  value  of  the  tax  receipts  handed  to 
the  Spanish  Bank  for  collection  for  the  fiscal  year  1896-97 
exceeded  $5,000,000,  the  actual  money  collected  was  only 
$3,266,583.37,  while  for  the  next  fiscal  year,  1897-98,  out  of 
receipts  aggregating  in  the  neighbourhood  of  $4,500,000, 
only  $2,377,742.21  was  realised.  The  exhibits  show  that 
rural  real  estate,  which,  under  prosperous  conditions,  should 
yield  in  taxes  from  $880,000  to  $1,000,000,  is  incapable  of 
paying  anything.  Out  of  receipts  aggregating  in  1897-98 
over  $800,000,  the  Spanish  Bank  only  collected  $89,661.98 
from  these  properties.  Nor  will  it  be  possible  in  the  recon- 
struction of  the  Island  to  secure  revenue  from  these  sources, 
for  the  burned  and  destroyed  estates  are  yielding  nothing 
to  their  owners.  City  property  which,  in  times  of  prosper- 
ity, should  yield  upward  of  $2,000,000,  or  even  $3,000,000, 
in  1897-98  only  yielded  $1,140,230.12. 

This  tax,  however,  and  the  receipts  from  customs  will  be 
the  first  to  recover,  as  the  immediate  effects  of  permanent 
peace  and  honest  government  will  be  felt  in  the  cities  and 
towns  and  seaports.  Lotteries  will  become  a doubtful,  if 
not  impossible  source  of  revenue.  The  collections  from 
internal  revenue  may  keep  up  to  the  estimate,  though  the 
income  from  State  property  and  miscellaneous  revenues 


2I4 


Industrial  Cuba 


seems  upon  examination  a rather  doubtful  resource  for  the 
new  government  to  rely  upon.  Judged  from  the  actual 
revenue  collected  in  i897~98,  had  present  conditions  pre- 
vailed, it  is  extremely  doubtful  if  the  real  revenue  collected 
for  1898-99  would  have  reached  more  than  half  the  rosy 
estimates  put  forth  by  the  Marquis  Montoro.  The  fact  is 
apparent  to  those  who  know  existing  conditions  in  Cuba 
that  the  people  of  the  Island  are  just  now  in  such  an  impov- 
erished condition  that  the  agricultural  interests  are  simply 
incapable  of  paying  taxes. 

The  cities  will  soon  be  all  right  again,  and  under  honest 
municipal  government,  taxes  on  urban  property  will  be 
paid.  The  influx  of  commodities  of  all  sorts,  to  make  up 
for  losses  and  destruction  by  war  and  low  stocks  due  to  the 
blockade,  will  increase  the  custom-house  receipts.  The  re- 
duction of  duties  on  machinery  and  railway  supplies  may 
increase  the  importations  of  these  articles,  and  thus  the  lower 
rates  of  duty  will  yield  a revenue  which  the  present  high 
rates,  by  making  importations  impossible,  fail  to  do.  By 
putting  an  end  to  smuggling,  and  by  honestly  administer- 
ing  the  custom-houses,  the  United  States  Government  may 
increase  the  revenue,  but  the  proposed  reduction  of  duties 
of  the  amended  tariff  in  a measure  offsets  this.  Unless, 
therefore,  some  new  source  of  revenue  is  found  practicable 
(and  the  Spanish  seem  to  have  exhausted  all  known  means 
of  raising  revenue),  reliance  for  the  future  will  have  to  be 
on  five  of  the  six  revenue  sources  above  enumerated.  If 
for  the  first  year  or  two  they  should  yield  in  all  $1 5,000,000, 
it  will  probably  be  all  the  revenue  that  may  safely  be  esti- 
mated. Much  will  naturally  depend  upon  the  foreign  im- 
ports. The  cable  despatches  from  Havana,  as  this  volume 
goes  to  press,  indicate  that  the  customs  revenue  will  be  fully 
up  to  the  author’s  estimates. 

Aside  from  special  imports,  such  as  specie,  leaf  tobacco, 
etc.,  the  value  of  the  imports  of  merchandise  proper  into 
Cuba  the  last  normal  year  (1895)  was  upward  of  $60,000,000. 
An  average  tariff  rate  of  twenty-five  per  cent,  on  this  valua- 


Revenue — Customs  Tariff 


215 


tion  of  imported  merchandise  would  itself  yield  $15,000,000. 
As  a matter  of  fact,  the  duties  collected  in  1895  were  $14,- 
587,920. 57,  on  a total  importation  of  merchandise  other  than 
specie  of  $61,443,334.65,  or  about  an  average  of  twenty-five 
per  cent.  To  be  sure,  the  nominal  tariff  rates  were  much 
higher  in  1895  than  they  will  be  in  1899,  but  there  is  a pos- 
sibility of  making  up  for  the  loss  by  reason  of  lower  duties 
by  abolishing  smuggling  and  honestly  administering  the 
custom-houses.  It  is  impossible,  however,  to  estimate  on 
this,  because,  to  do  so  with  any  degree  of  success,  it  would 
be  necessary  to  reduce  to  figures  the  losses  of  revenue  by 
smuggling,  undervaluation,  and  misclassification.  This  is 
an  impossibility. 

The  tariff  which  the  Spanish  Government  enacted  and 
put  in  force  in  the  Island  of  Cuba  in  September,  1897,  and 
which,  with  modifications  in  the  shape  of  war  taxes,  was  in 
force  in  ports  of  Cuba  in  possession  of  the  Spanish  Govern- 
ment until  the  change  of  government,  January  1,  1899,  is 
based  upon  the  preceding  tariffs.  Both  this  tariff  and  its 
predecessors  seem  to  lack  rational  basis,  so  far  as  Cuba  is 
concerned,  the  aim  apparently  being  to  secure,  by  the 
means  of  exorbitant  customs  duties  revenue  for  the  Spanish 
exchequer  and  profits  for  Spanish  subjects,  without  the 
slightest  regard  for  the  welfare  of  the  people  of  Cuba. 
While  the  duties  seem  to  have  been  levied  with  this  idea, 
the  classifications  and  methods  of  administration  are  so 
complicated  and  obscure  that  they  easily  lend  themselves  to 
every  known  species  of  revenue  fraud,  from  false  classifica- 
tions and  undervaluations  to  smuggling  of  the  most  barefaced 
character.  In  fact,  the  author,  after  a careful  inquiry  into 
the  Cuban  tariff  and  an  examination  of  several  hundred  wit- 
nesses in  Havana  and  other  cities  of  Cuba,  reached  the  con- 
clusion that  almost  every  form  of  revenue  iniquity  has  been 
perpetrated  upon  the  people  of  this  Island  by  the  ruling 
powers. 

Not  only  was  the  tariff  constructed  in  a way  that  com- 
pelled the  Cuban  producer  to  purchase  the  articles  he  needed 


Industrial  Cuba 


2 [ 6 


and  could  not  himself  manufacture,  of  Spain,  instead  of  in 
the  cheaper  markets,  but  also  it  levied  almost  prohibitive 
duties  on  such  articles  as  Spain  could  not  under  any  cir- 
cumstances send  to  Cuba.  For  example,  the  Spanish  ex- 
porter was  able,  by  a discriminating  duty  of  more  than  one 
hundred  per  cent,  against  other  countries,  to  import  from 
Minnesota  to  Barcelona  American  flour  and  reship  it  to 
Cuba  at  a price  just  below  the  price  of  the  American  article 
shipped  direct  to  Cuba,  upon  which  a duty  nearly  three 
times  as  great  as  that  exacted  from  Spain  had  to  be  paid. 
On  the  other  hand,  Spain  took  little  interest  in  such  articles 
as  machinery  and  railway  supplies,  including  steel  rails  and 
locomotives,  because  she  neither  produced  them  nor  could 
she  purchase  elsewhere  and  reship  as  Spanish  production. 

The  amended  tariff  for  the  Island,  which  went  into  force 
January  i,  1899,  was  framed  on  the  general  plan  of  the 

open  door  for  all  nations;  that  is,  the  merchandise  of 
all  nations  will  be  admitted  on  an  equal  footing,  or  at  the 
same  rate  of  duty.  There  is  but  one  uniform  rate  of  duty, 
and  that,  as  far  as  possible,  a revenue,  not  a protective  rate. 
In  a few  cases,  a protective  rate  has  been  allowed,  for  the 
purpose  of  encouraging  Cuban  home  industry,  but  as  over 
half  of  all  the  imports  into  Cuba  are  food  products,  not  pro- 
duced to  advantage  in  the  Island,  the  rates  of  duty  rarely 
exceed  twenty-five  per  cent,  ad  valorem.  In  this  connec- 
tion, it  will  be  interesting  to  note  the  value  of  the  merchan- 
dise imported,  divided  by  schedules  or  classes  (page  217). 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  following  exhibit  that  Schedule 
12,  “ Alimentary  Substances,”  covering  all  food  products, 
is  the  most  important  of  all  the  schedules,  representing 
more  than  half  the  total  imports  into  Cuba  during  1895,  and 
aggregating  over  $31,000,000.  Next  in  importance  to  this 
is  Schedule  4,  Cotton  and  Manufactures  thereof,”  aggre- 
gating nearly  $6,000,000,  or  ten  per  cent,  of  the  total  im- 
ports ; Schedule  1,  ” Ores,  etc.,”  aggregating  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  $4,750,000,  ranking  third,  and  so  on 
through  the  list. 


Revenue — Customs  Tariff 


217 

TABLE  SHOWING  VALUE  OF  IMPORTS  INTO  CUBA  BY  TARIFF 
CLASSES  FOR  THE  LAST  NORMAL  YEAR,  1895-96 


Number  of 
Schedule. 

Commodity. 

Value  Imports, 
1895-96. 

Class 

I. 

Stones,  earths,  ores,  etc 

$ 4,733.358.12 

1 1 

II. 

Metals,  and  manufactures  of 

2.063.281.0=; 

1 < 

III. 

Pharmacy  and  chemicals 

2,166,414.92 

« 4 

IV. 

Cotton,  and  manufactures  of 

S,qo8,202.23 

t 4 

V. 

Hemp,  flax,  jute,  and  other  vegetable  fibres 
and  manufactures  of 

3,5S7,7X3.23 

« 4 

VI. 

Wool,  bristles,  etc.,  and  manufactures  of. . . . 

1,060,192.13 

( 4 

VII. 

Silk,  and  manufactures  of 

315,010.00 

4 4 

VIII. 

Paper  and  its  applications 

1,257,132.94 

4 4 

IX. 

Wood,  etc.,  and  manufactures  of 

2,054,057.57 

4 4 

X. 

Animals  and  animal  wastes 

2.880.200.64 

4 4 

XI. 

Instruments,  machinery,  etc 

2,123,315.43 

44 

XII. 

Alimentary  substances 

31,179,289.98 

4 4 

XIII. 

1,115,156.51 

$61,443,334.65 

In  conjunction  with  the  above  table,  the  following  re- 
capitulation of  values  of  exports  and  reshipments  into  Cuba 
during  1895-96  is  given: 

RECAPITULATION  OF  VALUES  OF  EXPORTS  AND  RESHIP- 
MENTS IN  CUBA  DURING  1895-96 


Exports 

First  Quarter 

Second 

Quarter 

Third 

Quarter 

Fourth 

Quarter 

Total 

Classes  of  goods : 
Timber 

$ 286,190.70 

6,616,458.97 
26,288,456.91 
427,886.11 
352, 393-44 

*,332, 7*4-86 

$ 267,068.47 

4,374.938.7° 

30.457.278.50 

1,010,657.35 

292,808.18 

2,533x5°9-C9 

$ 200,878.03 

6,389,770-95 

10,679,269.55 

152,205.65 

267,277.53 

2,738,024.01 

$ 130,463.90 

6,666,672.71 
7,572,016.36 
8,846.30 
121,991.00 
1,112,242.44 

$ 848,601.10 
24,047,841.33 

74,907,021.32 

i,599,595-4i 

1,034,470.15 

7,72i,49IO° 

Sugar 

Molasses  

Rum  and  liquors. 
Other  articles  .... 

Total 

35,304,100.99 

38,941,260.89 

20,427,425.72 

15,612,232.71 

110,285,020.31 

Reshipment : 
Foreign  goods  . . . 
Spanish  goods  . . . 

15,462.65 

61,343.08 

8,477.91 

27,477.62 

17,567.05 

28,718.17 

27,524.08 

29,276.53 

69,031.69 

146,815.40 

Total 

76,805.73 

35,955-53 

46,28522 

56,800.61 

215,847.09 

Special  exports  .... 

207.477-55 

l66,88l.I5 

2,092,960.13 

I53,326-30 

2,620,645.13 

Grand  total . . 

$35,588,384.27 

$39.I44,°97-S7 

$22,566,671.07 

$15,822,359.62 

$”3, >21, 512.53 

2 I 8 


Industrial  Cuba 


The  grand  total  of  the  trade  of  the  Cuban  ports  for  the 
last  normal  year  was  nearly  $175,000,000.  Perhaps  with 
allowance  for  smuggling  and  undervaluations,  this  total  may 
lave  reached  $200,000,000;  possibly  it  may  have  exceeded 
those  figures.  However  this  may  be,  Cuba,  under  a satis- 
factory government  and  normal  conditions,  may  be  easily 
said  to  represent  from  $200,000,000  to  $250,000,000  in  the 
world  s commerce.  This  fact  gives  some  idea  of  the  vast 
trade  possibilities  of  Cuba  after  a complete  rehabilitation 
and  industrial  reconstruction  of  the  Island. 

In  the  following  table  the  author  has  carefully  compiled 
from  the  several  available  sources  of  information  the  aver- 
age receipts  from  1886  to  1897,  inclusive,  of  the  several 
custom-houses  of  Cuba: 


TOTAL  CUSTOM-HOUSE  RECEIPTS  IN  ISLAND  OF  CUBA 
FROM  1S86  TO  1897,  INCLUSIVE 


Custom-Houses. 

Total  for 
Twelve  Years. 

Average  per 
Year. 

Ratio  of 
Total. 

Havana 

$ 8,844,396.11 

69.9 

Cienfuegos 

ViDU,  132,753.30 

13,691,144.65 

Matanzas 

1,140,928.72 

781,812.84 

639,041.81 

363,661.32 

249,506.88 

142,126.97 

130,382.94 

9.0 

Santiago  de  Cuba. . 

9,301 .754. 10 

6.2 

Cardenas 

5-1 

Sagua  la  Grande 

4,363,935.76 

2.9 

Caibarien 

L705, 523.71 

2.0 

Nuevitas 

1. 1 

Guantanamo. . . . 

L 564, 595- 3° 

1.0 

Gibara 

*000,093.44 

us, 057.79 

98,873.37 

76,158.07 

31,124.85 

16,221.40 

8,994.63 

7,606.38 

0.9 

Manzanillo 

913,896.91 

0.8 

Baracoa 

0.6 

Trinidad 

373>49°*  1 1 

0.2 

Santa  Cruz 

194>°50.&5 
!°7, 935-59 
91,276.51 

0.1 

Zaza 

0. 1 

0.1 

Total 

$I5L750,728.87 

$12,645,894.08 

100.00 

During  the  twelve  years,  it  should  be  stated  the  largest 
amount  of  revenue  was  collected  in  1886,  when  it  was 
5-330-778.96,  and  the  smallest  amount  last  year,  namely, 
$9,648,369.94.  The  receipts  show  the  working  of  the 


Revenue — Customs  Tariff  219 

Reciprocity  Treaty  with  the  United  States,  which,  while  it 
greatly  added  to  the  prosperity  of  the  Island,  decreased 
the  revenues  which  Spain  sought  to  secure  for  herself. 

From  the  above  table  it  will  be  seen  that  the  total  amount 
of  revenue  collected  during  these  twelve  years  averaged 
$12,645,894.08  per  year;  that  the  custom-house  of  Havana 
collected  69.9  per  cent,  and  Cienfuegos — which  is  an  im- 
portant city,  and,  in  the  opinion  of  the  author,  the  city 
which,  under  the  new  conditions,  will  show  the  most  rapid 
development — 9 per  cent.,  ranking  second.  In  the  custom- 
house district  of  Santiago,  the  average  revenue  receipts  per 
year  have  been  5.1  per  cent.  The  inclusion  in  this  district 
of  Guantanamo,  Gibara,  Manzanillo,  and  Baracoa  will  prob- 
ably increase  the  collections  for  the  province  to  nearly  ten 
per  cent,  of  the  total  revenue  of  the  Island. 

The  following  is  a similar  table  to  that  given  above,  but 
gives  at  a glance  the  customs  receipts  from  imports  and 
exports  at  each  port : 


RECEIPTS  FROM  IMPORTS  AND  EXPORTS— 1886-1897 


Custom-Houses. 

Imports. 

Exports. 

Average 
Twelve  Years. 

Per  Cent, 
of  Total 
Imports. 

Average 
Twelve  Years. 

Per  Cent, 
of  Total 
Exports. 

Havana 

$ 7,882,855.48 

$ 961,540.63 

Cienfuegos 

1,094,962.53 

45,966.19 

Matanzas 

723,978.04 

57,834- 80 

Santiago  de  Cuba. . . . 

625,517.97 

13,523-84 

Cardenas 

297,738.05 

65.923-27 

Sagua  la  Grande 

207,422.23 

42,084.65 

Caibarien 

127,011.98 

15,114.99 

Nue  vitas 

122,282.25 

8,100.69 

Guantanamo 

103,198.88 

11,858.91 

Gibara 

63,371.21 

35,502.16 

Manzanillo 

60,664.85 

15,493-22 

Baracoa 

31,122.49 

2.36 

Trinidad 

11,963.02 

4,258.38 

Santa  Cruz 

4,679.98 

4,314-65 

Zaza 

4,520.12 

3,086.26 

Aggregate 

$11,361,289.08 

8.33 

$1,284,605.00 

8.33 

220  Industrial  Cuba 

During  the  war,  as  already  explained,  the  customs  receipts 
have  naturally  declined,  therefore  the  year  preceding  that 
has  been  selected  as  indicating  the  average  revenue  from 
custom-houses,  when  not  disturbed  by  commercial  treaty, 
such  as  that  made  in  connection  with  the  McKinley  Tariff 
law  of  the  United  States,  nor  the  other  disturbances,  such 
as  civil  war  and  subsequently  the  blockade  of  Cuban  ports 
by  the  United  States  navy.  The  value  of  the  following 
table  is  in  the  fact  that  it  shows  customs  receipts  from  the 
several  sources  other  than  those  which  may  be  considered 
strictly  import  duties. 


CUSTOM-HOUSE  RECEIPTS  DURING  1895-96,  SPECIFYING  TAXES 


Tariff 


First 

Quarter 


Import  Duties 

Ten  per  cent,  on  Im- 
ports  

Provisional  fifteen  per 

cent,  on  Imports 

Export  Duties 

Navigation  Tax 

Loading  Tax 

Unloading  Tax 

Passenger  Tax 

Merchants’  Bonds 

Fines 

Interest  on  Promissory 

Notes 

Excise  Tax 


Mi464>392-7° 

272.162.34 

84,126  55 
344,850.62 
2.539-75 
254,316.53 

140.562.35 
8,925.75  | 

332-°5 
18,308.40 

695.03 
333-°°3-78  I 
Totals $3,924,215.85 


Second 

Quarter 

Third 

Quarter 

Fourth 

Quarter 

Total 

$2,387,357-28 

237,673-86 

312.346.57 
227,858.34 

41635-5° 

346,953-59 

128.938.58 
7,808.00 

I43-5° 
22,496  45 

1 

$'.947, 152-48 
52X,2l6.92 
302,821.71 

359ll35-46 

6,232.50 

124,242.98 

129i965-77 

6,190.25 

208.56 

13,346.50 

$i,977,o28.oi 

209,483.87 

267,337-93 

369.237-95 

5,305.00 

9i,5°9-85 

112,984.47 

6,229.75 

228.84 

16,663.15 

$ 8,775,930-47 
970,53699 

966,632.76 

1,301,082.37 

18,712.7s 

817,022.95 

512,451.17 

29,153-75 

912.95 

70,814.50 

69503 

1,123.974-88 

252, 265.95  1 

333,525-56 

2°5, 179-59 

$3,928,477-62 

$3,474,038.69 

$3, 261, 188. 41  1 

$14,587,920.57 

Having  treated  as  fully  as  possible  on  the  revenue  of  Cuba 
in  the  past  from  customs  and  made  such  forecasts  as  to  the 
probable  revenue  as  would  seem  warranted  by  the  official 
figures,  the  next  chapter  will  be  devoted  to  a summary  of 
the  schedules  of  the  amended  tariff  now  in  force,  which  will 
probably  remain  during  United  States  occupancy  the  cus- 
toms revenue  law  of  the  Island. 


PALM-TREE  BRIDGE. 


CHAPTER  XVI 


THE  AMENDED  CUBAN  TARIFF— OFFICIAL 
FTER  a careful  consideration  of  the  facts  given  in  the 


foregoing  chapter,  Assistant-Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury, William  B.  Howell,  and  the  author  recommended  the 
adoption  of  the  following  amended  tariff,  the  order  for  the 
establishment  of  which  President  McKinley  signed  on 
the  13th  of  December,  1898;  and  the  tariff  was  promulgated 
and  took  effect  in  all  Cuban  ports  in  the  possession  of  the 
United  States  January  1,  1899.  The  new  tariff,  at  the  time 
this  volume  goes  to  press,  is  reported  by  the  several  custom- 
houses of  the  Island  as  working  smoothly,  and  yielding  an 
amount  of  revenue  equivalent  to  the  estimates  given  in  the 
chapters  relating  to  the  revenue  of  the  Island. 


The  undermentioned  articles  may  be  imported  into  Cuba  exempt  from  the 
duties  stipulated  in  the  tariffs  on  compliance  with  the  prescribed  conditions  and 
the  formalities  established  for  every  case  in  the  customs  ordinances  : 

346.  Manures,  natural. 

347.  Trees,  plants,  and  moss,  in  natural  or  fresh  state. 

348.  National  products  returning  from  foreign  exhibitions,  on  presentation 
of  the  bill  of  lading  or  certificate  proving  their  exportation  from  the  Island  and 
of  satisfactory  evidence  attesting  that  such  products  have  been  presented  and 
have  been  shipped  to  their  point  of  departure. 

349.  Carriages,  trained  animals,  portable  theatres,  panoramas,  wax  figures, 
and  other  similar  objects  for  public  entertainment,  imported  temporarily,  pro- 
vided bond  be  given. 

350.  Receptacles  exported  from  Cuba  with  fruits,  sugar,  molasses,  honey,  and 
brandy,  and  reimported  empty,  including  receptacles  of  galvanised  iron  intended 
for  the  exportation  of  alcohol. 


CUSTOMS  TARIFF  FOR  PORTS  IN  CUBA 

FREE  LIST 


221 


222 


Industrial  Cuba 


35 1 • Specimens  and  collections  of  mineralogy,  botany,  and  zoology  ; also 
small  models  for  public  museums,  schools,  academies,  and  scientific  and  artistic 
corporations,  on  proof  of  their  destination. 

352.  Used  furniture  of  persons  coming  to  settle  in  the  Island. 

353-  Samples  of  felt,  wall  paper,  and  tissues,  when  they  comply  with  the  fol- 
lowing conditions  : 

(a)  When  they  do  not  exceed  40  centimetres  in  length,  measured  in  the  warp 
or  length  of  the  piece,  even  when  such  samples  have  the  entire  width  of  the 
piece.  The  width  shall,  for  tissues,  be  determined  by  the  list,  and  for  felts  and 
wall  paper  by  the  narrow  border  which  has  not  passed  through  the  press. 

(£)  Samples  not  having  these  indications  shall  only  be  admitted  free  of  duty 
when  they  do  not  exeeed  40  centimetres  in  any  dimension. 

(r)  In  order  to  avoid  abuse,  the  samples  declared  for  free  entry  must  have 
cuts  at  every  20  centimetres  of  their  width,  so  as  to  render  them  unfit  for  any 
other  purpose. 

354.  Samples  of  trimmings  in  small  pieces,  of  no  commercial  value  or  possi- 
ble application. 

355.  Archaeological  and  numismatical  objects  for  public  museums,  academies, 
and  scientific  and  artistic  corporations,  on  proof  of  their  destination. 

356.  Works  of  fine  art  acquired  by  the  Government,  academies,  or  other 
official  corporations,  and  intended  for  museums,  galleries,  or  art  schools,  when 
due  proof  is  given  as  to  their  destination. 

357.  Gold  in  bars,  powder,  or  coined  ; also  national  silver  or  bronze  coins. 

358.  Wearing  apparel,  toilet  objects,  and  articles  for  personal  use,  bed  and 
table  linen,  books,  portable  tools  and  instruments,  theatrical  costumes,  jewels, 
and  table  services  bearing  evident  trace  of  having  been  used,  imported  by  trav- 
ellers in  their  luggage  in  quantities  proportionate  to  their  class,  profession,  and 
position. 

359.  When  travellers  do  not  bring  their  baggage  with  them,  the  clearing  of 
the  same  may  be  made  by  the  conductor  or  persons  authorised  for  the  purpose, 
provided  they  prove,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  customs,  that  the  effects  are  in- 
tended for  private  use. 

360.  Stone,  unwrought,  for  paving  purposes. 

361.  Ploughs,  hoes,  hatchets,  machetes,  cane  knives,  etc.,  for  agricultural 
purposes,  and  other  agricultural  implements  not  machinery. 

362.  Quinine,  sulphate  and  bisulphate  of,  and  all  alkaloids  or  salts  of  cin- 
chona bark. 

363.  Hemp,  flax,  and  ramie,  raw,  hackled,  or  tow. 

364.  Abaca,  heniquen,  pita,  jute,  and  other  vegetable  fibres,  raw,  hackled, 
or  tow. 

365.  Single  yarns  made  of  jute  for  the  manufacture  of  sugar  bags  only,  to  be 
imported  by  sugar-bag  manufacturers  only,  the  importer  to  give  a bond  to  use 
the  yarn  exclusively  for  the  manufacture  of  sugar  bags. 

366.  Books,  maps,  and  scientific  instruments,  for  the  use  of  schools. 

367.  Coal  and  coke. 

368.  Mineral,  carbonated  or  seltzer  waters,  natural  or  artificial,  root  beer. 


The  Amended  Cuban  Tariff — Official  223 


ginger  ale,  and  other  similar  non-alcoholic  beverages,  not  otherwise  provided  for. 

369.  Fresh  fish. 

370.  Second-hand  clothing  donated  for  charitable  purposes  to  needy  persons, 
and  not  for  sale. 

371.  Articles  of  the  growth,  produce,  and  manufacture  of  the  island  of  Cuba 
exported  to  a foreign  country  and  returned  without  having  been  advanced  in 
value  or  improved  in  condition  by  any  process  of  manufacture  or  other  means, 
and  upon  which  no  drawback  or  bounty  has  been  allowed. 


IMPORT  RATES  OF  DUTY 


Abbreviations  Employed  in  the  Tariff 


G.  W.  = Gross  weight.  I T.  = Tare. 

N.  W.  = Net  weight.  S.  T.  = Special  tare. 

G.  W.  ; T.  = Gross  weight  or  Kil.  = Kilograms, 

tare,  as  the  case  may  De. 


Kilog.  = Kilogram. 
Hectog.  = Hectogram. 
Hectol.  — Hectoliter. 


Duties  shall  be  paid  in  United  States  money,  or  in  foreign  gold  coin,  such  as 
the  Spanish  alfonsinos  (centen)  and  the  French  louis,  which  will  be  accepted 
at  the  following  rates:  Alfonsinos  (25-peseta  piece),  $4.82;  louis  (20-franc 
piece),  $3.86. 

The  following  Spanish  silver  coins  now  in  circulation  in  the  Island  of  Cuba 
shall  be  received  for  customs  at  the  following  fixed  rates  in  American  money : 
Peso,  60  cents  ; medio  peso,  30  cents;  peseta,  12  cents;  real,  6 cents;  medio 
real,  3 cents. 

Bronze  and  copper  coins  now  current  in  the  Island  of  Cuba  will  be  received 
at  their  face  value  for  fractional  parts  of  a dollar  in  a single  payment  to  an 
amount  not  exceeding  12  cents  (1  peseta). 

The  metrical  system  of  weights  and  measures  is  in  use  in  Cuba. 

Importations  from  the  United  States  are  dutiable  like  other  commodities. 


Class  I. — Stones,  Earths,  Ores,  Glass,  and  Ceramic  Products 
Group  i. — Stones  and  earths  employed  in  building , arts , and  manufactures 

1.  Marble,  jasper,  and  alabaster  : 

a.  In  the  rough  or  in  dressed  pieces,  squared  or  prepared  for 

shaping,  G.  W 100  kil. . $0.50 

b.  Slabs,  plates,  or  steps  of  any  dimension,  polished  or  not,  G.W. 

100  kil..  1. 00 

c.  Sculptures,  high  and  bas-reliefs,  vases,  urns,  and  similar  ar- 

ticles for  house  decoration,  T 100  kil. . 3.10 

d.  Wrought  or  chiselled  into  other  articles,  polished  or  not,  T. 

100  kil..  2.00 

2.  Stones,  other,  natural  or  artificial : 

a.  Slabs,  plates,  or  steps,  G.  W do. . . . .50 

b.  Wrought  into  all  other  articles,  T do. . . . 1.00 

3.  Earths  employed  in  manufactures  and  arts  : Cement,  lime,  and  gyp- 

sum, G.  W 100  kil..  .60 

4.  Gypsum  manufactured  into  articles  : 

a.  Statuettes,  T do....  3.00 

b.  Articles,  other,  T do 75 


224 


Industrial  Cuba 


Group  2.  Coal. 

(See  Free  list). 

Group  3. — Schists , bitumens , and  their  derivatives 

6.  Tar  and  mineral  pitch,  asphalts,  bitumens,  and  schists,  G.  W., 

100  kil. . 

7.  Oleonaphtha,  crude  natural  petroleum  and  crude  oils  derived  from 

schists,  G.  W 100  kil.. 

a.  Crude  petroleum  to  be  used  exclusively  in  the  manufacture  of 
illuminating  gas  and  only  at  gas  works  in  Cuba,  said  gas 
works  to  be  subject  to  inspection  by  the  customs  authorities, 
and  to  be  used  for  no  other  purpose,  provided  that  the  im- 
porter gives  such  bond  as  may  be  regarded  necessary  by  the 
acting  collector,  G.  W 100  kil. . 

8.  Petroleum  and  other  mineral  oils,  rectified  or  refined,  intended  for 

illumination  ; benzine,  gasoline,  and  mineral  oils  not  specially 

mentioned  ; vaseline,  G.  W 100  kil. . 

a.  A product  from  petroleum  known  under  the  name  of  cordage 
oil,  imported  by  and  used  exclusively  for  cordage  works  in 
their  manufacture  of  rope  and  cordage,  provided  that  the  im- 
portation be  made  at  the  direct  demand  of  the  president  of 
the  cordage  company,  and  that  the  latter  submit  their  works 
at  all  times  to  the  inspection  of  the  customs  authorities,  and 
that  the  importer  give  such  bond  as  may  be  regarded  neces- 


sary by  the  acting  collector,  G.  W 100  kil . . 

Group  4. — Ores 

9.  Ores,  G.  W 100  kil.. 


Group  5. — Crystal  and  Glass 

10.  Common  or  ordinary  hollow  glassware  ; electric  insulators,  T. 

100  kil. . 

Common  bottles  of  glass,  intended  to  contain  beer,  rum,  and 
sparkling  wines,  manufactured  with  native  fruit,  and  garrafones  or 
demijohns  and  siphons  to  contain  mineral,  carbonated,  or  seltzer 
waters,  shall  enjoy  a rebate  of  60  per  cent,  of  the  duties  stipulated 
in  this  number,  when  imported  and  declared  in  the  custom-house 


by  the  manufacturers  of  said  beverages. 

11.  Crystal,  and  glass  imitating  crystal : 

a.  Articles,  cut,  engraved,  or  gilt,  T 100  kil. . 

b.  Articles,  other,  T do.... 

12.  Plate  glass  and  crystal  : 

a.  Slabs,  paving  or  roofing,  T 100  kil.. 

b.  For  windows  or  in  other  articles,  provided  they  be  neither 

polished,  bevelled,  engraved,  nor  annealed,  T 100  kil. . 


The  Amended  Cuban  Tariff — Official  225 


c.  Window  glass  set  in  lead  and  polished,  or  bevelled  plate  glass,  T. 

100  kil. . $ 4. go 

d.  Articles,  engraved  or  annealed,  T do.  . ..  9.80 

13.  Glass  and  crystal,  tinned,  silvered,  or  coated  with  other  metals  : 

a.  Common  mirrors  not  exceeding  2 mm.  in  thickness,  coated 

with  red  or  dark  mercurial  varnish,  T 100  kil. . 10.00 

b.  Mirrors,  other,  not  bevelled,  T do....  15.00 

c.  Mirrors,  bevelled,  T do  ...  18.00 

14.  Glass  and  crystal  in  statuettes,  flower  stands,  and  vases  and  similar 

articles  for  toilet  purposes  and  house  decorations  ; spectacle  and 
watch  glasses  ; imitations  of  precious  or  fine  stones  ; enamel,  T. 

kilog..  .56 

15.  Incandescent  electric  lamps,  mounted  or  not hundred.  . 2.50 

Group  6. — Pottery , earthenware,  and  porcelain 

16.  Bricks  of  clay,  not  glazed,  for  building  purposes,  furnaces,  etc.  ; 

articles  of  fire  clay,  G.  W 100  kil..  .30 

17.  Roofing  tiles  of  clay,  not  glazed,  for  building  purposes,  per  square 

(10  by  10  feet) 1.50 

18.  Slabs  or  conduits  of  clay,  glazed  or  unglazed,  cement  or  stoneware, 

G.  W 100  kil..  .50 

19.  Ceramic  tiles  of  all  kinds  and  glazed  roofing  tiles,  per  square  (10  by 

10  feet) 2.50 

20.  Hollow  ware,  glazed  or  not,  of  clay  or  stoneware  : 

a.  Household  and  kitchen  utensils,  T iookil..  .80 

b.  Dishes  or  other  articles,  provided  that  they  be  neither  gilt, 

painted,  nor  ornamented  in  relief,  T iookil..  5.50 

c.  Common  bottles  of  earthenware,  to  contain  beer,  etc.,  .do.  . . . 1.00 

d.  Articles,  gilt,  painted,  or  ornamented  in  relief,  T do.  . . . 5.60 

21.  Hollow  ware  or  dishes  of  faience  : 

a.  Neither  painted,  gilt,  nor  in  relief,  T do. . . . 3.50 

b.  Gilt,  painted,  or  with  ornaments  in  relief,  T do. . . . 6.40 

22.  Hollow  ware  or  dishes  of  porcelain  : 

a.  Neither  painted,  gilt,  nor  in  relief,  T do. . . . 5.80 

b.  Painted,  gilt,  or  with  ornaments  in  relief,  T do. . . . 9.30 

23.  Statuettes,  flower  stands,  and  vases,  high  and  bas-reliefs,  articles  for 

toilet  purposes  and  house  decoration,  of  fine  clay,  faience,  stone- 
ware, porcelain,  or  bisque,  T kilog..  .25 

Class  II. — Metals,  and  all  Manufactures  in  which  a Metal 
Enters  as  a Principal  Element 

GROUP  I. — Gold,  silver,  and  platinum , and  alloys  of  these  metals 

24.  Gold  and  platinum  in  jewelry  or  goldsmiths’  wares,  with  or  without 

precious  stones  or  pearls  ; jewelry  or  wares  of  silver,  with 
precious  stones,  pearlsand  seed  pearls,  not  set,  N.  W.hectog. . $7.50 

«S 


226 


Industrial  Cuba 


25.  Gold  or  platinum  wrought  in  articles,  other,  of  all  kinds,  N.  W. 

hectog . . 

26.  Silver  in  ingots,  bars,  plates,  sheets,  or  powder,  N.  W kilog. . 

27.  Jewelry  or  wares  of  silver,  without  precious  stones  or  pearls,  N.W. 

hectog. . 

28.  Silversmiths’  wares,  other,  of  all  kinds,  and  platinum  in  ingots,  N.  W. 

kilog . . 

29.  Plate,  N.  W do... 


Group  2. — Cast  iron  (I) 

(I)  Articles  of  malleable  cast  iron  are  dutiable  as  manufactures  of 
wrought  iron. 

Cast  iron  : 

30.  Pigs,  G.  W 100  kil.. 

31.  Articles  not  coated  or  ornamented  with  another  metal  or  porcelain, 

neither  polished  or  turned — 

a.  Bars,  beams,  plates,  grates  for  furnaces,  columns,  and  pipes, 

G.  W 100  kil. . 

b.  Lubricating  boxes  for  railway  trucks  and  carriages,  and  rail- 

way chairs,  G.  \V 100  kil. . 

c.  Articles,  other,  G.  W do.... 

32.  Articles  of  all  kinds  not  coated  or  ornamented  with  another  metal 

or  porcelain,  polished  or  turned,  T 100  kil. . 

33.  Articles  of  all  kinds,  enamelled,  gilt,  tinned,  or  coated  or  ornamented 

with  other  metals  or  porcelain,  T 100  kil. . 

Group  3. — Wrought  iron  and  steel 

34.  Iron,  soft  or  wrought,  in  ingots  or  “ tochos  ” ; steel  in  ingots,  G.  W. , 

100  kil.. 

35.  Wrought  iron  or  steel,  rolled — 

a.  Rails,  G.  W do.... 

b.  Bars  of  all  kinds,  including  rods,  tires,  hoops,  and  beams, 

G.  W 100  kil. . 

e.  Bars  of  all  kinds  of  fine  crucible  steel,  G.  W do. . .. 

36.  Sheets,  rolled — 

a.  Neither  polished  nor  tinned,  of  3 millimetres  and  more  in 

thickness,  G.  W 100  kil. . 

b.  Neither  polished  nor  tinned,  of  less  than  3 millimetres  in 

thickness,  and  hoop  iron,  G.  W 100  kil. . 

c.  Tinned  and  tin  plate,  G.  W do. . . . 

d.  Polished,  corrugated,  perforated,  cold-rolled,  galvanised  or 

not,  and  bands  of  polished  hoop  iron,  G.  W 100 kil. . 

37.  Wrought  iron  or  steel : 

Cast  in  pieces,  in  the  rough,  neither  polished,  turned,  nor  adjusted, 
weighing,  each — 


$2.80 

2.60 

1.50 

8.00 

2.40 


.10 

• 50 

• 35 

• 75 

1.20 

2.30 


.40 

.425 

.90 

1.60 

1. 10 

1.20 

1.50 

1.30 


The  Amended  Cuban  Tariff — Official  227 


a.  25  kil.  or  more,  G.  W ioo  kil. . 

b.  Less  than  25  kil.,  G.  W do.... 

38.  Cast  in  pieces,  finished — 


a.  Wheels  weighing  more  than  ioo  kilograms,  fish  plates,  chairs, 

sleepers,  and  straight  axles  ; springs  for  railways  and  tram- 
ways ; lubricating  boxes,  G.  W ioo  kil. . 

b.  Wheels  weighing  ioo  kilograms  or  less  ; springs  other  than  for 

railways  and  tramways ; bent  axles  and  cranks,  G.  W. 


100  kil. . 

39.  Pipes — 

a.  Covered  with  sheet  brass,  G.  W do 

b.  Other,  galvanised  or  not,  G.  W do.... 

40.  Wire,  galvanised  or  not — 

a.  2 millim.  or  more  in  diameter,  T do. . .. 

b.  More  than  £ and  up  to  2 millim.  in  diameter,  T do. . .. 

c.  £ millim.  or  less  in  diameter,  and  wire  covered  with  any  kind 

of  tissue,  T 100  kil. . 


41.  In  large  pieces,  composed  of  bars  or  bars  and  sheets  fastened  by 

means  of  rivets  or  screws  ; the  same,  unriveted,  perforated,  or 
cut  to  measure  for  bridges,  frames,  and  other  buildings,  G.  W., 

100  kil. . 

42.  Anchors,  chains  for  vessels  or  machines,  moorings,  switches,  and 


signal  disks,  G.  W 100  kil.. 

42a.  Anvils,  T do.... 

43.  Wire  gauze — 

a.  Up  to  20  threads  per  inch,  T do. . . . 

b.  Of  20  threads  or  more  per  inch,  T kilog. . 


44.  Cables,  fencing  (barbed  wire),  and  netting  ; furniture  springs,  G.  W., 

100  kil. . 

45.  Tools  and  implements — 

a.  Fine,  for  arts,  trades,  and  professions,  of  crucible  steel,  T. 

100  kil. . 

b.  Other,  T do. . . . 

46.  Screws,  nuts,  bolts,  washers,  and  rivets ; Parisian  and  similar 

tacks,  T 100  kil. . 

47.  Nails,  clasp  nails,  and  brads,  T do.... 

48.  Buckles : 

a.  Gilt,  silvered,  or  nickeled,  T kilog.. 

b.  Other,  T do. . .. 

49.  Needles,  sewing  or  embroidering,  pins,  and  pens  ; pieces  of  clock- 

works, N.  W kilog.. 

50.  Crochet  hooks  and  the  like  ; hooks,  hairpins,  and  surgical  instru- 

ments, N.  W kilog.. 

51.  Cutlery  of  all  kinds  ; tailors’  scissors  ; side  arms  and  pieces  for  same, 

T kilog. . 


$1.00 

i-35 


.60 


1.40 


1.40 

1.40 

1. 00 
1.3c 

1.60 


1.80 

.80 

2.50 

2.00 

.06 


1. 00 


8.00 

2.50 

1.50 

1. 00 


.20 


• 15 


• 30 


•30 


.40 


228 


Industrial  Cuba 


52.  Firearms  : 

a.  Barrels,  unfinished,  for  portable  arms,  G.  W kilog. . $ .25 

b.  Small  arms,  such  as  pistols  and  revolvers,  also  their  detached 

parts,  T kilog..  1.00 

c.  Sporting  guns  : Muzzle-loading,  and  detached  parts  thereof, 

T kilog..  .60 

d.  Breech-loading,  and]detached  parts  thereof,  T do...  2.50 

53.  Manufactures  of  tin  plate,  T 100  kil..  4.00 

Wrought  iron  or  steel  : 


54.  Articles  of  all  kinds  not  specially  mentioned,  common,  even  coated 
with  lead,  tin,  or  zinc,  or  painted  or  varnished — 


a.  In  which  sheet  predominates,  T 100  kil. . 3.00 

b.  In  which  sheet  does  not  predominate,  T do. . . . 2.00 


55.  Articles  of  all  kinds  not  specially  mentioned,  fine,  i.e.,  polished, 
enamelled,  coated  with  porcelain,  nickel,  or  other  metals  (with 
the  exception  of  lead,  tin,  or  zinc),  or  with  ornaments,  borders, 
or  parts  of  other  metals,  or  combined  with  glass  or  earthen- 


ware— 

a.  In  which  sheet  predominates,  T 100  kil. . 3.00 

b.  In  which  sheet  does  not  predominate do. . ..  3.00 


Group  4. — Copper  and  alloys  of  common  metals  -with  copper  ("brass,  bronze , etc.) 
56.  Copper  scales,  copper  of  first  fusion,  old  copper,  brass,  etc.,  G.  W. 


100  kil. . 3.00 

57.  Copper  and  alloys  of  copper  in  ingots,  G.  W do. . . . 4.00 

58.  Rolled  in  bars  of  all  kinds,  G.  W do....  4.50 

59.  Rolled  in  sheets,  G.  W do 5.00 

60.  Wire,  galvanised  or  not — 

a.  1 millimetre  and  more  in  diameter,  T do. . ..  6.00 

b.  Less  than  1 millimetre  in  diameter,  T do....  6.00 

c.  Gilt,  silvered,  or  nickeled,  T kilog. . .50 

61.  Wire  covered  with  tissues  or  insulating  materials  ; conducting  cables 

for  electricity  over  public  thoroughfares,  T 100  kil. . 7.50 

62.  Wire  gauze — 

a.  Up  to  100  threads  per  inch,  T 100  kil. . 6.00 

b.  Of  100  threads  or  more  per  inch,  T kilog.  . .15 

63.  Tipes,  bearings,  plates  for  fireplaces,  and  boilermakers’  wares  par- 

tially wrought,  G.  W 100  kil..  4.50 

64.  Nails  and  tacks  : 

a.  Gilt,  silvered,  or  nickeled,  T kilog. . .20 

b.  Other,  T do....  .12 

65.  Pins  or  pens,  N.  W do....  .60 

Copper  and  alloys  of  copper  : 

66.  Articles  not  specially  mentioned,  varnished  or  not,  T kilog. . .20 


67.  Articles,  gilt,  silvered,  or  nickeled,  not  specially  mentioned,  T. 

kilog. . 


.50 


The  Amended  Cuban  Tariff — Official 

Group  5. — Other  metals  and  their  alloys 


68.  Mercury,  G.  W kilog. . 

Nickel,  aluminium,  and  alloys  having  for  a basis  these  metals  : 

69.  In  lumps  or  ingots,  G.  W 100  kil. . 

Tin  and  alloys  thereof  : 

70.  In  lumps  or  ingots,  G.  W do.... 

Zinc,  lead,  and  other  metals  not  specially  mentioned,  as  well  as 

their  alloys  : 

71.  In  lumps  or  ingots,  G.  W 100  kil. . 

Nickel,  aluminium,  and  their  alloys  : 

72.  In  bars,  sheets,  pipes,  and  wire,  G.  W do.. . . 

Tin  and  alloys  thereof  : 

73.  In  bars,  sheets,  pipes,  and  wire,  G.  W do. . .. 

Zinc,  lead  and  other  metals  : 

74.  In  bars,  sheets,  pipes,  and  wire,  G.  W 


75.  Tin  hammered  in  thin  leaves  (tin  foil)  and  capsules  for  bottles,  T. 

kilog. 


Nickel,  or  aluminium,  and  their  alloys  ; 

76.  Articles  of  all  kinds,  T do. . . 

Tin  and  alloys  thereof  (Britannia  metal,  etc.) : 

77.  Articles  of  all  kinds,  T do. . . 

78.  Zinc,  lead,  and  other  metals,  and  their  alloys  : 

a.  Articles,  gilt,  silvered,  or  nickeled,  T do... 

b.  Articles,  other,  T do... 


Group  6. — Wastes  and  scoria 

79.  Filings,  shavings,  cuttings  of  iron  or  steel,  and  other  wastes  of  cast 
iron  or  from  the  manufacture  of  common  metals,  fit  only  for  re- 


smelting, G.  W 100  kil. . 

80.  Scoriae  resulting  from  the  smelting  of  ores,  G.  W do. . . . 


Class  III. — Substances  Employed  in  Pharmacy  and  Chemical 
tries,  and  Products  Composed  of  these  Substances 

Group  i. — Simple  drugs 


81.  Oleaginous  seeds,  copra  or  cocoanuts,  G.  W 100  kil. . 

82.  Resins  and  gums  : 

a.  Colophany,  pitch,  and  similar  products,  G.  W do. . .. 

b.  Spirits  of  turpentine,  T do.... 


c.  Caoutchouc  and  gutta-percha,  raw  or  melted  in  lumps,  G.  W. 

100  kil. . 

83.  Extracts  of  licorice,  camphor,  aloes,  and  other  similar  vegetable 


juices,  G.  W 100  kil. . 

84.  Tan  bark,  G.  W do. . .. 

85.  Opium,  G.  W kilog.. 


229 

$ .20 

3.00 

4.00 

1. 00 

7.00 

7.00 

1.50 
.04 

• 50 

• 50 

• 30 

• 15 

• 15 
•03 

Indus- 

$2.00 

.50 

2.50 

3-00 

5-25 

• 25 

6.00 


230 


Industrial  Cuba 


86.  Other  simple  vegetable  products,  not  specially  mentioned,  G.  W. 

ioo  kil. . 

87.  Animal  products  employed  in  medicine,  not  specially  mentioned, 

O-  w 

88.  Natural  colours,  in  powder  or  in  lumps  (ochres,  etc.),  G.  W do. . 

Group  2. — Colours , dyes,  and  varnishes 


89.  Artificial  colours  of  metallic  bases  : 

a.  In  powder  or  lumps,  G.  W.  ; T 100  kil. . 

b.  Prepared  in  the  paste,  oil,  or  water  ; also  lead  or  coloured  pen- 

cils, G.  W.  ; T kil. . 

90.  Other  artificial  colours,  in  powder,  crystals,  lumps,  or  paste,  G.  W. ; 

T kilog. . 

91.  Natural  dyes : 

a.  Woods,  barks,  roots,  etc.,  for  dyeing,  G.  W 100  kil. . 

b.  Madder,  G.  W do.... 

c.  Indigo  and  cochineal,  G.  W kilog. . 

92.  Artificial  dyes : 

a.  Extracts  from  logwood,  archil,  and  other  dyeing  extracts,  G. 

W.  ; T kil. . 

b.  Writing,  drawing,  or  printing  inks,  G.  W.  ; T do 

c.  Colours  derived  from  coal,  G.  W.  ; T kilog. . 

93.  Varnish,  G.  W.  ; T 100  kil. . 

94.  Blacking,  G.  W do 


Group  3. — Chemical  and  pharmaceutical  products 


95.  Simple  bodies : 

a.  Sulphur,  G.  W 100  kil. . 

b.  Bromine,  boron,  iodine,  and  phosphorus.  Phosphorus,  T.  ; 

other,  G.  W kilog. . 

96.  Inorganic  acids  : 

a.  Hydrochloric,  boric,  nitric,  and  sulphuric,  also  aqua  regia, 

G.  W kil. . 

b.  Liquid  carbonic  acid,  N.  W do. . . . 

c.  Other,  G.  W do 

97.  Organic  acids : 

a.  Oxalic,  citric,  tartaric,  and  carbolic,  G.  W do. . . . 

b.  Oleic,  stearic,  and  palmetic,  G.  W do. . . . 

c.  Acetic,  G.  W do 

d.  Other,  G.  W do.... 

98.  Oxides  and  oxyhydrates  : Of  ammoniac,  potash,  and  other  caustic 

and  barilla  alkalies,  G.  W 100  kil. . 

99.  Inorganic  salts  : 

a.  Chloride  of  sodium  (common  salt),  G.  W do. . . . 


$2.75 

1.80 

.60 


2-55 

5.00 


•25 


.20 

4.50 

.20 


5.00 

3-oo 


.20 

7.50 

3.00 


•15 


.18 


• 30 
5-oo 
5.00 


1. 00 
1.40 

6.00 

5.00 


•25 


.50 


The  Amended  Cuban  Tariff — Official  231 


b.  Chloride  of  potassium  ; sulphates  of  soda,  iron,  or  magnesia  ; 


carbonate  of  magnesia;  alum,  G.  W ioo  kil.  . 

c.  Sulphate  of  ammoniac  ; phosphates  and  superphosphates  of 
lime  ; nitrate  of  potash  and  soda,  G.  W ioo  kil. . 


d.  Other  salts  of  ammoniac,  salts  of  copper,  chloride  of  lime, 
sulphate  of  potash,  hyposulphite  of  soda  and  borax,  G.  W., 

too  kil. . 


e.  Chlorates  of  soda  and  potash,  G.  W do. . . . 

100.  Organic  salts  : 

a.  Acetates  and  oxalates,  G.  W do. . . . 

b.  Citrates  and  tartrates,  T do. . . . 

101.  Alkaloids  and  their  salts;  chlorides  of  gold  and  silver,  N.  \V., 

kilog. . 

102.  Chemical  products  not  specially  mentioned,  G.  W.  ; T do. . . 

103.  Pills,  capsules,  medicinal  dragees,  and  the  like,  T do.  . . 

104.  Pharmaceutical  products  not  specially  mentioned,  T do.  . . 


Group  4. — Oils,  fats,  wax,  and  their  derivatives 


105.  Vegetable  oils  : 

a.  Solid  (cocoanut,  palm,  etc.),  G.  W 100  kil. . 

b.  Liquid,  except  olive  oil,  G.  W do. . . . 

106.  Crude  oils  and  animal  fats  : 


a.  Cod-liver  oil  and  other  medicinal  oils,  not  refined,  G.  W. 

100  kil. . 

b.  Glycerin,  olein,  stearin,  and  spermaceti,  crude,  G.  W.  .do. . . 

c.  Other  crude  oils  and  fats,  G.  W 100  kil. . 

107.  Mineral,  vegetable,  or  animal  wax,  unwrought,  and  paraffin  in 

lumps,  G.  W 100  kil. . 

108.  Articles  of  stearin  and  paraffin,  wax  of  all  kinds,  wrought,  T. 

100  kil . . 

109.  Common  soap,  G.  W.  ; T do.... 

no.  Perfumery  and  essences,  T kilog.. 

Group  5. — Various 

in.  Artificial  or  chemical  fertilizers,  G.  \V 100  kil.. 

112.  Starch  and  feculre  for  industrial  uses  ; dextrin  and  glucose,  G.  \V.  ; 

T ioo  kil. . 

113.  Glues,  albumens,  and  gelatin,  G.  W do.... 

1 14.  Carbons  prepared  for  electric  lighting,  G.  W do. . . . 

1 15.  Gunpowder  and  explosives  : 

a.  Gunpowder,  explosive  compounds,  and  miners’  fuses,  G.  W.  ; 

T 100  kil. . 

b.  Gunpowder,  sporting,  and  other  explosives  not  intended  for 

mines,  N.  W kilog.. 


$0.45 

.03 


• 75 
1.80 

2.50 

3.00 

6.75 

•05 

• 25 

.10 


2.50 

3.00 


1-47 

1.40 
•50 

2.50 

2.40 

1.50 
.20 


.05 


1.40 

3.90 

3.00 


4.00 


.20 


232  Industrial  Cuba 

Class  IV. — Cotton  and  Manufactures  Thereof. 

Group  i. — Cotton  in  the  wool  and  yarns 

116.  Cotton  in  the  wool  and  cotton  waste,  G.  W 100  kil. . 

117-  Cotton  yarn  and  thread  for  crocheting,  embroidering,  and  sewing  ; 

including  the  weight  of  reels,  N.  W kilog. . 

Group  2. — Tissues 

1 18.  Tissues,  plain  and  without  figures,  napped  or  not,  weighing  10 
kilograms  or  more  per  100  square  metres,  unbleached,  bleached, 


or  dyed,  having  : 

a.  Up  to  9 threads,  N.  W kilog. . 

b.  From  10  to  15  threads,  N.  \V do.. . 

c.  From  16  to  19  threads,  N.  W do. . . 

d.  20  threads  or  more,  N.  W do. . . 


1 18  a.  The  same  tissues,  printed  or  manufactured  with  dyed  yams  : 
Dutiable  as  the  tissue,  with  a surtax  of  30  per  cent.,  N.  W. 

1 19.  Tissues,  plain  and  without  figures,  napped  or  not,  weighing  less 
than  10  kilograms  per  100  square  metres,  unbleached,  bleached, 


or  dyed,  having  : 

a.  Up  to  6 threads,  N.  W kilog. . 

b.  From  7 to  11  threads,  N.  W do... 

c.  From  12  to  15  threads,  N.  W do. . . 

d.  From  16  to  19  threads,  N.  W do. . . 

e.  20  threads  or  more,  N.  W do... 


1 19  a.  The  same  tissue,  printed  or  manufactured  with  dyed  yarns  : 
Dutiable  as  the  tissue,  with  a surtax  of  40  per  cent.,  N.  W. 
120.  Tissues,  twilled  or  figured  on  the  loom,  napped  or  not,  weighing 
10  kilograms  or  more  per  100  square  meters,  unbleached, 


bleached,  or  dyed,  having  : 

a.  Up  to  6 threads,  N.  W kilog. . 

b.  From  7 to  11  threads,  N.  W do. .. 

c.  From  12  to  15  threads,  N.  W do. . . 

d.  From  16  to  19  threads,  N.  W do. . . 

e.  20  threads  or  more,  N.  W do. . . 


120  a.  The  same  tissues,  printed  or  manufactured  with  dyed  yarns  : 
Dutiable  as  the  tissue,  with  a surtax  of  30  per  cent.,  N.  W. 
121.  Tissues,  twilled  or  figured  on  the  loom,  napped  or  not,  weighing 
less  than  10  kilograms  per  100  square  metres,  unbleached, 


bleached,  or  dyed,  having  : 

a.  Up  to  6 threads,  N.  \V kilog. . 

b.  From  7 to  11  threads,  N.  W do. . . 

c.  From  12  to  15  threads,  N.  W do. . . 

d.  From  16  to  19  threads,  N.  W do. . . 

e.  20  threads  or  more,  N.  W do. . . 


The  Amended  Cuban  Tariff — Official 


233 


121  a.  The  same  tissues,  printed  or  manufactured  with  dyed  yarns  : 
Dutiable  as  the  tissues,  with  surtax  of  40  per  cent.,  N.  W. 


122.  Tissues  for  counterpanes,  N.  W kilog. 

123.  Piques  of  all  kinds,  N.  W do. . 

124.  Carded  tissues  : 


a.  Unbleached,  half  bleached,  ordyed  in  the  piece,  N.  W.  .do. . . 

b.  Bleached,  printed  or  manufactured  with  dyed  yarns,  N.  W., 

kilog. . 

125.  Velvety  tissues,  such  as  corduroys  and  velveteens  ; three-ply  plush 

tissues,  cut  or  not,  N.  W kilog. . 

126.  Knitted  goods,  even  with  needlework do. . . 

a.  Undershirts  and  drawers  of  simple  finish  or  rough  sewing, 

N.  W kilog. . 

b.  Undershirts  and  drawers  of  double  sewing  or  fine  finish,  N.  W., 

kilog.  . 

c.  Stockings,  socks,  gloves,  and  other  small  articles  of  simple 

finish  or  rough  sewing,  N.  W kilog. . 

d.  Stockings,  socks,  gloves,  and  other  small  articles  of  double 

sewing  or  fine  finish,  N.  W kilog. . 

127.  Tulles: 

a.  Plain,  N.  W - do... 

b.  Figured  or  embroidered  on  the  loom,  N.  W do. . . 

128.  Lace,  blondes,  and  tulle  for  borders,  of  all  kinds,  N.  W. . . .do. . . 

129.  Carpets  of  cotton,  N.  W kilog. . 

130.  Tissues  called  tapestry,  for  upholstering  furniture  and  for  curtains 

manufactured  with  dyed  yarns  ; table-covers  and  counterpanes 
of  the  same  kind,  N.  W kilog. . 

131.  Wicks  for  lamps  and  candles,  N.  W do. . . 

132.  Trimmings  of  cotton  ; ribbons  and  galloons,  N.  W do. . . 


$0.24 

•45 


.08 

.20 


•47 

•30 

.70 

.80 

.70 

.90 

.70 

.92 

1.47 

• 15 


• 32 

• 15 

• 52 


Class  V. — Hemp,  Flax,  Pita,  Jute,  and  other  Vegetable  Fibres,  and 
Their  Manufactures 


Group  i. — Raw  and  spun 

133.  Twisted  yarns  of  two  or  more  ends  (including  the  weight  of  the 

reels)  ; also  the  fibres  of  abaca,  heniquen,  pita,  jute,  and  other 
vegetable  fibres,  prepared  for  spinning,  not  otherwise  provided 

for,  N.  W kilog..  $0.10 

133a.  Bags  for  sugar 100  kil . . 2.00 

134.  Rope  and  cordage  : 

a.  Twine  or  rope  yarn  and  cord  of  hemp,  not  exceeding  3 milli- 

metres in  thickness,  G.  W 100  kil. . 6.00 

b.  Cordage-  and  ropemakers’  wares  of  hemp,  exceeding  3 milli- 

metres in  thickness,  N.  W 100  kil. . 6.00 

c.  Cordage-  and  ropemakers’  wares  of  abaca,  heniquen,  pita,  jute, 

or  other  fibres,  N.  W 100  kil. . 


6.00 


234 


Industrial  Cuba 


GROUP  2. — Tissues 

135.  Tissues  of  hemp,  linen,  ramie,  jute,  or  other  vegetable  fibres,  not 
specially  mentioned,  plain,  twilled  or  damasked,  weighing  35 
kilograms  or  more  per  100  square  metres,  unbleached,  half 
bleached,  or  dyed  in  the  piece,  having  : 


a.  Up  to  5 threads,  N.  W 100  kil. . $2.00 

b.  From  6 to  8 threads,  N.  W kilog. . .05 

c.  9 threads  or  more,  N.  W do.  .08 


135a.  The  same  tissues,  bleached  or  printed  : 

Dutiable  as  the  tissue,  with  a surtax  of  15  per  cent.,  N.  W. 
135^.  The  same  tissues,  manufactured  with  dyed  yams  : 

Dutiable  as  the  tissue,  with  a surtax  of  25  per  cent.,  N.  W. 
136.  Tissues,  plain,  twilled,  or  damasked,  weighing  from  20  to  35  kilo- 
grams per  100  square  metres,  unbleached,  half  bleached,  or 


dyed  in  the  piece,  having  : 

a.  Up  to  5 threads,  N.  W kilog. . .06 

b.  From  6 to  8 threads,  N.  W do. . . .08 

c.  From  9 to  12  threads,  N.  W do. . . .12 

d.  From  13  to  16  threads,  N.  W do...  .16 

e.  17  threads  or  more,  N.  \V do...  .20 


136a.  The  same  tissues,  bleached  or  printed  : 

Dutiable  as  the  tissue,  with  a surtax  of  25  per  cent.,  N.  \V. 
136 b.  The  same  tissues,  manufactured  with  dyed  yarns  : 

Dutiable  as  the  tissue,  with  a surtax  of  40  per  cent.,  N.  \V. 

1 37-  Tissues,  plain,  twilled,  or  damasked,  weighing  from  10  to  20  kilo- 
grams per  100  square  metres,  unbleached,  half  bleached,  or 


dyed  in  the  piece,  having  : 

a.  Up  to  8 threads,  N.  W kilog. . .08 

b.  From  9 to  12  threads,  N.  W do...  .12 

c.  From  13  to  16  threads,  N.  W do...  .18 

d.  From  17  to  20  threads,  N.  W do. . . .25 

e.  21  threads  or  more,  N.  W do...  .35 


137a.  The  same  tissues,  bleached  or  printed  : 

Dutiable  as  the  tissue,  with  a surtax  of  30  per  cent.,  N.  W. 

137 b.  The  same  tissues,  manufactured  with  dyed  yarns  : 

Dutiable  as  the  tissue,  with  a surtax  of  50  per  cent.,  N.  W. 
138.  Tissues,  plain,  twilled,  or  damasked,  weighing  less  than  8 kilo- 
grams per  100  square  metres,  unbleached,  half  bleached,  or 


dyed  in  the  piece,  having  : 

a.  Up  to  8 threads,  N.  W kilog..  .10 

b.  From  9 to  12  threads,  N.  \V do. . . .14 

c.  From  13  to  16  threads,  N.  W do...  .20 

d.  From  17  to  20  threads,  N.  W do...  .35 

e.  21  threads  or  more,  N.  W do...  .06 


The  Amended  Cuban  Tariff — Official 


138a.  The  same  tissues,  bleached  or  printed  : 

Dutiable  as  the  tissue,  with  a surtax  of  30  per  cent.,  N.  W. 

1 38^.  The  same  tissues,  manufactured  with  dyed  yarns  : 

Dutiable  as  the  tissue,  with  a surtax  of  50  per  cent.,  N.  W. 

139.  Velvets  and  plushes  of  linen,  jute,  etc.,  N.  W kilog. . 

140.  Knitted  goods  of  linen  or  hemp,  mixed  or  not  with  cotton  or  other 

vegetable  fibres,  even  with  needlework  : 

a.  In  the  piece,  jerseys,  or  drawers,  N.  W kilog. . 

b.  Stockings,  socks,  gloves,  and  other  small  articles,  N.  W. . do. . . 

14 1.  Tulles: 

a.  Plain,  N.  W do. . . 

b.  Figured  or  embroidered  on  the  loom,  N.  W do. . . 

142.  I.ace,  blonde,  and  tulles  for  borders,  N.  W do.  . . 

143.  Carpets  of  jute,  hemp,  or  other  vegetable  fibres  without  admixture 

of  wool,  N.  W kilog.. 


144.  Tissues  called  tapestry  for  upholstering  furniture  and  for  curtains, 
mixed  or  not  with  cotton,  figured  or  damasked,  provided  they 
be  manufactured  with  yarns  dyed  prior  to  being  woven  ; table- 


covers  and  counterpanes  of  the  same  kind,  N.  W kilog. . 

145.  Trimmings  of  hemp,  jute,  linen,  ramie,  etc.  ; ribbons  and  gal- 
loons, N.  W ’. kilog. . 


Class  VI. — Wool,  Bristles,  Hair,  Horsehair,  and  their 
Manufactures 

Group  I. — Raw  and  spun 

146.  Bristles,  hair,  and  horsehair per  cent,  ad  valorem. .. 

147.  Wool,  raw do. . . . 

148.  Woollen  yarn,  unbleached,  bleached  or  dyed,  single  or  twisted 

per  cent,  ad  valorem.  . 
Woollen  yarns  mixed  with  silk  shall  be  liable  to  the  following 
surtaxes  : 

When  containing  up  to  one-fifth  of  silk,  per  cent,  ad  valorem . . 

When  containing  up  to  two-fifths  of  silk do.  . . . 

When  containing  three-fifths  or  more  of  silk  the  yarns  shall 
be  dutiable  as  untwisted  silk. 

Group  2. — Tissues  and  fulled  stuffs 

149.  Swanskin  of  pure  or  mixed  wool per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 

150.  Baizes  : 

a.  Of  pure  wool do. . . . 

b.  Of  mixed  wool do. . . . 

151.  Flannels,  white  or  colored,  for  underclothing  : 

а.  Of  pure  wool do. . . . 

б.  Of  mixed  wool do 


$0.20 


.80 

1. 00 

.60 
• 75 

2.00 

.05 


.28 

.40 


40 

40 

40 


22 

50 


40 

40 

40 

40 

40 


236 


Industrial  Cuba 


152.  Blankets  or  counterpanes  of  wool,  pure  or  mixed  with  other 

materials  : 

a.  Grey  blankets  ( “ pardas”) per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 

b.  Other do. . . . 

153.  Astrakhans,  plushes,  and  velvets  of  wool,  pure  or  mixed.  ..do 

154.  Cloths  and  other  tissues  not  specially  mentioned,  of  wool,  hair,  or 

flock  wool,  comprised  or  not  in  drapery,  weighing  per  square 
metre  : 

300  grams  or  more  : 

a.  Of  wool,  hair,  or  flock  wool,  pure  . . . .per  cent,  ad  valorem.  . 

b.  Of  wool  or  hair,  mixed do.  . . . 

155.  From  175  to  300  grams  : 

a.  Of  wool,  hair,  or  flock  wool,  pure do. . . . 

b.  Of  wool  or  hair,  mixed do. . . . 

156.  Less  than  175  grams  : 

a.  Of  wool,  hair,  or  flock  wool,  pure do. . . . 

b.  Of  wool  or  hair  mixed do.  . . . 

157.  Tissues  of  bristle  or  horsehair,  with  or  without  an  admixture  of 

cotton  or  other  vegetable  fibres per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 

15S.  Knitted  stuffs,  with  or  without  an  admixture  of  cotton  or  other 
vegetable  fibres,  even  with  needlework  : 

a.  In  the  piece,  jerseys,  or  drawers per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 

b.  In  stockings,  socks,  gloves,  and  other  small  articles. . .do 

159.  Carpets  of  wool,  pure  or  mixed  with  other  materials  : 

a.  With  uncut  pile do. . . . 

b.  Plushy  or  with  cut  pile do. . . . 

160.  Tissues  called  tapestry,  for  curtains  and  upholstering  furniture, 

of  wool,  pure  or  mixed  with  cotton  or  other  vegetable  fibres, 
even  figured  or  damasked,  weighing  more  than  350  grams 
per  square  metre  ; table-covers  and  counterpanes  of  the  same 
kind per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 

161.  Felts  of  wool,  pure  or  mixed do 

162.  Trimmings  of  wool  ; ribbons  and  galloons do 

Class  VII.— Silk  and  Manufactures  of  Silk 
Group  i. — Yarns 

163.  Silk  and  floss  silk,  spun  or  twisted,  in  skeins.. per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 

164.  Silk  on  reels,  including  weight  of  the  reels do 

Group  2. — Tissues 

165.  Tissues  of  unbleached  silk per  cent  ad  valorem. . 

166.  Tissues  of  silk  or  floss  silk  : 

Not  mixed  with  any  other  material — 

Plain,  not  figured,  twilled,  or  serged — 

a.  Black do.... 

b.  Coloured d°-  • •• 


40 

40 

40 


40 

40 

40 

40 

40 

40 

40 


40 

40 

40 

40 


40 

40 

40 


50 

50 

50 


50 

50 


The  Amended  Cuban  Tariff — Official  237 


167.  Figured,  plushy  or  velvety do....  50 

168.  Mixed  with  another  material  : 

Plain,  not  figured,  twilled,  or  serged — 

a.  Mixed  with  cotton  or  other  vegetable  fibres.  ..do. . ..  50 

b.  Mixed  with  wool  or  hair do....  50 

169.  Figured,  plushy  or  velvety do....  50 

170.  Knitted  stuffs  of  boiled  silk,  of  unbleached  silk  ; or  of  floss  silk, 

made  up  in  any  kind  of  article  : 

a.  Of  pure  silk per  cent  ad  valorem. . 50 

b.  Mixed  with  other  textile  materials do....  50 

171.  Tulles  of  silk  or  floss  silk,  pure  or  mixed  : 

a.  Plain do. ...  50 

b.  Figured  or  embroidered  on  the  loom do....  50 

172.  Lace  tulles  for  borders  and  blondes,  of  silk  or  floss  silk,  plain  or 

figured  : 

a.  Not  mixed percent  ad  valorem..  50 

b.  Mixed  with  cotton  or  other  vegetable  fibres do. ...  50 

173.  Trimmings  of  silk do.  ...  50 

Class  VIII. — Paper  and  its  Applications 
Group  i 

174.  Paper  pulp,  G.  W 100  kil . . $0.15 

Group  2. — Printing  and  writing  paper 

175.  Paper,  endless  or  in  sheets,  white  or  coloured,  uncut  and  unprinted, 

for  printing  purposes,  T 100  kil. . 4.00 

176.  Paper,  endless  or  in  sheets,  white  or  coloured,  used  for  wrapping 

purposes,  T 100  kil..  2.50 

177.  Paper  in  sheets,  unruled,  unprinted,  and  uncut,  white  or  coloured, 

used  for  writing  purposes 100  kil. . 8.00 

Group  3. — Paper,  printed,  engraved,  or  photographed 

178.  Books,  bound  or  unbound,  and  similar  printed  matter.  . .100  kil.  . 1.25 

179.  Headed  paper,  forms  for  invoices,  labels,  cards,  and  the  like,  T. 

kilog..  .10 

180.  Prints,  maps,  charts,  etc.,  drawings,  photographs,  and  engravings  ; 

pictures,  lithographs,  chromolithographs,  oleographs,  etc.,  used 
as  labels  and  wrappers  for  tobacco  or  other  purposes  : 
a.  Of  a single  printing  and  bronze  or  leaf,  including  labels  printed 


only  in  bronze  or  leaf,  T kilog.  . .05 

b.  Of  two  printings  and  bronze  or  leaf,  T. do. . . .20 


c.  Of  three  to  ten  printings  (inclusive)  and  bronze  or  leaf,  T. 

kilog..  .40 

d.  Of  more  than  ten  printings  and  bronze  or  leaf,  T do. . . .80 


Industrial  Cuba 


238 


Group  4 — Wallpaper 


181.  Wall  paper  printed  : 

a.  On  natural  ground,  T 100  kil. . $4.00 

b.  On  dull  or  glazed  ground,  T do 6.00 

c.  With  gold,  silver,  wool,  or  glass,  T kilog. . .27 


Group  5. — Pasteboard  and  various  papers 
182.  Blotting  paper,  common  packing  paper,  and  sand  or  glass  paper,  T. 


100  kil..  1.75 

183.  Thin  paper,  of  common  pulp,  for  packing  fruit,  T do 2.30 

184.  Other  paper  not  specially  mentioned,  T do....  4.60 

185.  Pasteboard  in  sheets  : 

a • Cardboard  paper  and  fine,  glazed,  or  pressed  cardboard,  T. 

100  kil..  3.50 

b.  Other  pasteboard,  T do....  1.00 

186.  Manufactures  of  pasteboard  : 

a.  Boxes  lined  with  ordinary  paper,  T do....  1.00 

b.  Boxes  with  ornaments  or  lined  with  fine  paper,  T kilog. . .22 

c.  Articles  not  specially  mentioned,  T do...  .17 

187.  Paste  and  carton-pierre  : 

a.  In  mouldings  or  unfinished  articles,  T 100  kil.  . 1.00 

b.  In  finished  articles,  T kilog..  .15 


Class  IX. — Wood  and  other  Vegetable  Materials  Employed  in 


Industry,  and  Articles  Manueactured  therewith 
Group  i. — Wood 

188.  Staves thousand..  $0.80 

189.  Ordinary  wood  : 

a.  In  boards,  deals,  rafters,  beams,  round  wood,  and  timber  for 

shipbuilding,  G.  W cubic  metre. . .40 

b.  Planed  or  dovetailed,  for  boxes  and  flooring,  broomsticks  and 

cases  wherein  imported  goods  were  packed,  G.  W..100  kil. . .16 

190.  Fine  wood  for  cabinetmakers  : 

a.  In  boards,  deals,  trunks,  or  logs,  G.  W do 1.20 

b.  Sawn  in  veneers,  T do'....  1.75 

191.  Coopers’ wares : 

a.  Fitted  together,  G.  W do 65 

b.  In  shooks,  also  hoops  and  headings,  G.  W do .36 

192.  Wood,  cut,  for  making  hogsheads  or  casks  for  sugar  or  molasses, 

G.  W kil. . .06 

193.  Latticework  and  fencing,  G.  W do 60 


Group  2. — Furniture  and  manufactures  of  wood 

194.  Common  wood  manufactured  into  joiners’  wares,  and  articles  of  all 
kinds,  turned  or  not,  painted  or  not,  varnished  or  not,  but 
neither  chiselled,  inlaid,  nor  carved,  T 100  kil. . 


4-75 


AVENUE  OF  PALM  TREES,  PALATINO. 


The  Amended  Cuban  Tariff — Official  239 


195.  Fine  wood  manufactured  into  furniture  or  other  wares,  turned  or 
not,  polished  or  not,  varnished  or  not,  and  furniture  and  com- 
mon wooden  wares  veneered  with  fine  wood  ; furniture  uphol- 
stered with  tissue  (other  than  with  silk  or  stuffs  containing  an 
admixture  thereof,  or  with  leather),  provided  that  the  articles 
specified  in  this  number  be  neither  chiselled,  carved,  inalid,  nor 


ornamented  with  metal,  T ioo  kil. . $15.00 

196.  Furniture  of  bent  wood,  T do....  12.00 

197.  Battens: 

a.  Molded,  varnished,  or  prepared  for  gilding,  T 100  kil..  5.05 

b.  Gilt  or  carved,  T kilog. . .20 


198.  Wood  of  any  kind  manufactured  into  furniture  or  other  wares,  gilt, 
chiselled,  carved,  inlaid,  or  veneered  with  mother-of-pearl  or 
other  fine  materials,  or  ornamented  with  metal,  and  furniture 
upholstered  with  stuffs  of  pure  or  mixed  silk  or  leather,  N.  W. 

kilog. . .68 


Group  3. — Various 


199.  Charcoal,  firewood,  and  other  vegetable  fuel,  G.  W. . . .1000  kil.  . 1.50 

200.  Cork  : 

a.  In  the  rough  or  in  boards,  G.  W 100  kil..  1.40 

b.  Manufactured,  T do....  4-50 

201.  Rushes,  vegetable  hair,  cane,  osiers,  fine  straw,  palm,  and  genista, 

raw,  raw  esparto,  and  baskets  and  other  common  wares  of 

esparto,  G.  W 100  kil..  1.83 

Baskets  wherein  imported  goods  were  packed  shall  be  dutiable 
according  to  this  number,  with  a rebate  of  60  per  cent. 

202.  Esparto  manufactured  into  fine  articles  ; rushes,  vegetable  hair, 

cane,  osiers,  fine  straw,  palm,  and  genista,  manufactured  into 
articles  of  all  kinds  not  specially  mentioned,  T 100  kil.  . 13.10 


Class  X. — Animals  and  Animal  Wastes  Employed  in  Industry 
Group  i. — Animals 

203.  Horses  and  mares  : 


204. 


206.  Bovine  animals 


b.  ( 

c.  I 

207.  Pigs. 

208.  Sucki 

209.  Shee] 

210.  Sinri 


each. , 

. $10.00 

5.00 

5.00 

5.00 

. 1. 00 

1. 00 

.do. . . 

1. 00 

1. 00 

1. 00 

1. 00 

orem. 

25 

240 


Industrial  Cuba 

Group  2. — Hides , Shins,  and  Leather  Wares 


211.  Pelts  in  their  natural  state  or  dressed,  G.  W kilog. . $1.50 

212.  Hides  and  skins,  green  or  not  tanned,  G.  W do...  .02 

Wet-salted  hides  and  skins  shall  enjoy  a reduction  of  60  per  cent, 
in  respect  of  salt  and  moisture. 

Dry-salted  hides  and  skins  shall  be  allowed  a rebate  of  30  per 
cent. 

213.  Hides  tanned  with  the  hair,  G.  W kilog. . .20 

214.  Hides  tanned  without  the  hair  : 

a.  Cow  and  other  large  hides,  whole,  G.  W do. . . .15 

b.  Other  and  backs  of  large  hides,  G.  W do. . . .20 

215.  Hides  and  skins,  curried,  dyed  or  not : 

a.  Sheepskins  (basils),  T do...  .20 

b.  Calf  or  goat  skins,  T do...  .25 

c.  Kid,  lamb,  or  young  calf  skins,  T do. . . .36 

d.  Cow  and  other  large  hides,  whole,  T do. . . .15 

e.  Backs  of  large  hides  and  hides  and  skins  not  specially  men- 

tioned, T kilog..  .20 

216.  Hides  and  skins,  varnished,  satiny,  grained,  dulled,  and  hides  and 

skins  with  figures,  engravings,  or  embossed,  T kilog. . .50 

Leather  cut  out  for  boots  and  shoes  or  other  articles  shall  be 
liable  to  a surtax  of  30  per  cent,  of  the  respective  duties  levi- 
able thereon. 

217.  Chamois  leather  or  parchment  of  all  kinds  and  gilt  or  bronzed 

hides  and  skins,  T kilog..  .60 

218.  Gloves  of  skin,  T do...  3.50 

219.  Shoes  of  cowhide  and  similar  leather  : 

a.  For  men dozen..  2.50 

b.  For  women do....  2.00 

c.  For  boys  below  size  4J do 1.50 

220.  Shoes  of  patent  and  similar  leather  : 

a.  For  men do....  2.75 

b.  For  women do....  2.25 

c.  For  boys  below  size  \\ do  . . . 1.75 

221.  Boots  of  calfskin,  with  elastics,  or  for  lacing  : 

a.  For  men do 5.00 

b.  For  women do....  3.00 

c.  For  boys  below  size  4^ do 2.00 

222.  Boots  of  patent  and  similar  leather  : 

a.  For  men do 6.00 

b.  For  women,  and  top-boots  (“  polacas  ’’) do 7.00 

c.  For  boys  below  size  4^ do....  5.00 

223.  Other  boots  and  shoes,  fancy do. . . . 8.00 

224.  Riding  boots pair..  2.00 

225.  Sandals dozen..  .40 


The  Amended  Cuban  Tariff — Official  241 

226.  Saddlery  and  harnessmakers’  wares  ; valises,  hat-boxes,  and  trav- 

elling bags  of  cardboard  or  leather,  T kilog. . $0.20 

227.  Other  manufactures  of  leather  or  covered  with  leather,  T.. kilog. . .40 

Group  3. — Various 

228.  Feathers  for  ornament,  in  their  natural  state  or  manufactured, 

N.  W kilog..  2.00 

229.  Other  feathers  and  feather  dusters,  T do...  .40 

230.  Intestines,  dried,  N.  W do...  2.00 

231.  Animal  wastes,  unmanufactured,  not  specially  mentioned,  G.  W. 

100  kil. . .50 


Class  XI. — Instruments,  Machinery,  and  Apparatus  Employed  in 
Agriculture,  Industry,  and  Locomotion 

Group  i. — Instruments 

232.  Pianos : 

a.  Grand per  cent,  ad  valorem.  . 

b.  Other do.  . . . 

233.  Harmoniums  and  organs do. . . . 

234.  Harps,  violins,  violoncellos  ; guitars  and  mandolins  with  incrusta- 

tions ; flutes  and  fifes  of  the  ring  system  ; metal  instruments 
of  6 pistons  or  more  ; detached  parts  for  wind  instruments  of 
wood  or  copper per  cent,  ad  valorem. . . 

235.  Musical  instruments,  other do. . . . 

236.  Watches  : 

a.  Of  gold  ; also  chronometers per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 

b.  Of  silver  or  other  metals do. . . . 

237.  Clocks  with  weights,  and  alarm  clocks do. . . . 

238.  Works  for  wall  or  table  clocks,  finished,  with  or  without  cases. 

per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 

Group  2. — Apparatus  and  Machines 

239.  Weighing  machines per  cent  ad  valorem. . 

240.  Machinery  and  apparatus  for  making  sugar  and  brandy. . . .do. . . . 

241.  Agricultural  machinery  and  apparatus do. . . . 

242.  Steam  motors,  stationary do.... 

243.  Marine  engines;  steam  pumps  ; hydraulic,  petroleum,  gas,  and  hot 

or  compressed  air  motors per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 

244.  Boilers  : 

a.  Of  sheet  iron do. . . . 

b.  Tubular do.... 

245.  Locomotives  and  traction  engines do. . . . 

246.  Turntables,  trucks  and  carts  for  transshipment,  hydraulic  cranes 

and  columns per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 

l6 


40 

40 

40 


40 

40 

40 

40 

40 

40 


20 

xo 

10 

20 


20 

20 

20 


242 


Industrial  Cuba 


247.  Machines  of  copper  and  its  alloys  ; detached  parts  of  the  same 

metals per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 20 

248.  Dynamo-electric  machines  : 

a.  Exceeding  50  kil.  in  weight do. ...  20 

b.  Weighing  50  kil.  or  less  ; inductors  and  detached  parts,  .do. .. . 20 

249.  Sewing  machines  and  detached  parts  thereof do. ...  20 

250.  Velocipedes  do....  20 

251.  Machines  and  apparatus,  other,  or  of  materials  not  specially  men- 

tioned, also  detached  parts  of  all  kinds  other  than  of  copper 

or  its  alloys per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 20 

Group  3. — Carriages 

252.  Coaches  and  berlins,  new,  used,  or  repaired  : 

a.  With  four  seats,  and  calashes  with  two  “ tableros,”  per  cent. 

ad  valorem 40 

b.  With  two  seats,  with  or  without  folding  seat ; omnibuses  with 

more  than  15  seats  ; diligences per  cent,  ad  valorem. . . 40 

c.  Four  or  two  wheeled,  without  “ tableros,”  with  or  without 

hood,  irrespective  of  the  number  of  seats  ; omnibuses  up  to 
15  seats  ; carriages  not  specially  mentioned. 

per  cent,  ad  valorem . . 40 

253.  Railway  carriages  of  all  kinds  for  passengers,  and  finished  wooden 

parts  for  same per  cent.  ad.  valorem . . 40 

254.  Vans,  trucks,  and  cars  of  all  kinds  ; miners’  trolleys,  and  finished 

wooden  parts  for  same per  cent,  ad  valorem. . . 40 

255.  Tramway  carriages  of  all  kinds,  and  finished  wooden  parts  for  the 

same per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 40 

256.  Waggons,  carts,  and  hand  carts do. ...  40 

256a.  Salvage  from  wrecked  vessels  is  prima  facie  dutiable  on  appraised  value 

according  to  its  material. 

Class  XII. — Alimentary  Substances 
GROUP  i. — Meat  and  fish , butter  and  greases 


257.  Poultry,  live  or  dead,  and  small  game,  N.  W kilog.  . $0.08 

258.  Meat  in  brine,  N.  W.  : 

a.  Beef,  brine  or  salt,  N.  W 100  kil. . 2.80 

b.  Pork,  brine  or  salt,  N.  W do. . . . 2.80 

259.  Lard,  N.  W do 2.80 

260.  Tallow,  N.  W do....  2.00 

261.  Bacon,  N.  W do....  4.00 

262.  Ham,  N.  W do....  5.50 

263.  Jerked  beef  (“tasajo”),  N.  W do 3.96 

264.  Meat  of  all  other  kinds,  T.  : 

a.  Beef,  canned,  N.  W do....  5.00 

b.  Beef,  fresh,  N.  W do....  4.50 


The  Amended  Cuban  Tariff — Official  243 

c.  Mutton,  fresh,  N.  W do....  $4.50 

d.  Pork,  fresh,  N.  W do....  4.00 

265.  Butter  and  oleomargarine,  N.  W.  ; T do 7.00 

266.  Cheese,  N.  W do....  5.C0 

267.  Condensed  milk percent,  ad  valorem..  10 

268.  Salt  cod  and  stock  fish,  G.  W.  ; T too  kil. . $2.00 

269.  Herring,  pickled,  smoked,  salted,  or  marinated,  and  skate  salted, 

N.  W.  100  kil. . 1. 00 

270.  Mackerel,  pickled,  smoked,  salted,  or  marinated,  N.  W.  ..do. . . . 2.00 

271.  Salmon,  canned,  smoked,  salted,  or  marinated,  N.  W do....  5.00 

272.  Oysters  of  all  kinds,  and  shellfish,  dried  or  fresh,  G.  W. . . .do. . . . 1.00 

273.  Eggs  (taken  out  of  Group  7) do....  5.00 

Group  2. — Cereals 

274.  Rice,  husked  or  not,  T 100  kil..  1.00 

275.  Wheat,  N.  W do 60 

276.  Cereals  : 

a.  Corn,  N.  W do....  .30 

b.  Rye,  N.  W do....  .40 

c.  Barley,  N.  W ' do....  .50 

d.  Oats,  N.  W do....  .40 

277.  Flour : 

a.  Of  wheat,  T do....  1.50 

b.  Of  rice,  T do....  2.00 

c.  Of  corn,  N.  W do....  .50 

d.  Of  oats,  N.  W do 1.20 

GROUP  3. — Pulse,  garden  produce,  and  fruits 

278.  Beans,  N.W 100  kil..  1.10 

279.  Pease,  N.  W do 1.10 

280.  Onions,  N.  W do....  .70 

281.  Potatoes,  N.  W do 50 

282.  Flour  of  pulse,  T do. . . . 2.50 

283.  Fruits,  fresh,  T do 60 

284.  Apples,  fresh,  N.  W do 60 

285.  Fruits,  dried  or  drained,  T do. . . . 1.50 

286.  Apples,  dried,  N.  W do....  1.50 

Group  4. — Seeds  and  fodder 

287.  Clover,  N.  W 100  kil. . 3.60 

288.  Flax,  N.  W do 82 

289.  Timothy,  N.  W do....  2.00 

290.  Fodder  and  bran per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 25 

Group  5. — Preserves 

291.  Fish  or  shellfish,  preserved  in  oil  or  otherwise,  in  tins 

per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 25 


244 


Industrial  Cuba 


292.  Vegetables  and  pulse,  pickled  or  preserved  in  any  manner, 

per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 25 


293.  Fruits,  preserved  : 

a.  In  brandy do....  25 

b-  Other do 25 

294.  Alimentary  preserves  not  specially  mentioned ; pork  butchers’ 

wares,  truffles,  sauces,  and  mustard per  cent,  ad  valorem..  25 

GROUP  6. — Oils  and  beverages 

295.  Olive  oil : 

a.  In  receptacles  of  earthenware  or  tin,  G.  W.  ; T. . . .100  kil. . $ 2.40 

b.  In  bottles,  including  the  weight  of  bottles,  G.  W.  ; T..do. ...  3.00 

296.  Alcohol,  S.  T hectol..  14.00 

297.  Brandy  and  all  compound  spirits  not  specially  mentioned  : 

a.  In  casks,  S.  T do 21.00 

b.  In  bottles  or  flasks,  S.  T do 34-00 

c.  Rum,  in  casks do. 18.00 

d.  Whiskies,  in  casks do 10.00 

298.  Wines,  sparkling,  S.  T liter..  .85 

299.  Liqueurs  and  cordials  : 

a.  In  casks  or  similar  receptacles,  S.  T do. . . .18 

b.  In  bottles,  S.  T do...  .36 

300.  Wines,  other  : 

a.  In  casks  or  similar  receptacles,  S.  T hectol. . 4.50 

b.  In  bottles,  S.  T. do. ...  13.00 

301.  Beer  and  cider  : 

a.  Malt  liquor,  in  casks hectol..  3.30 

b.  Malt  liquor,  in  bottles do 3.66 

c.  Cider do 1.60 


Group  7. — Various 


302.  Saffron,  safflower,  and  flowers  of  “ tobar”..per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 25 

303.  Cinnamon  of  all  kinds do. ...  25 

304.  Cinnamon,  Chinese  (“ caneldn  ”),  cloves,  pepper,  and  nutmegs, 

per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 25 

305.  Vanilla do 25 

306.  Tea do 25 

307.  Coffee  in  the  bean  or  ground  ; chicory  roots  and  chicory,  T. 

100  kil..  12.15 

308.  Cocoa  of  all  kinds,  in  the  bean,  ground,  or  in  paste ; cocoa 

butter,  T 100  kil..  20.25 

309.  Chocolate  and  sweetmeats  of  all  kinds,  including  the  immediate 

packages per  cent,  ad  valorem  25 

310.  Eggs.  (See  last  item,  Group  1.) 

31 1.  Pastes  and  feculee  for  soups  and  other  alimentary  purposes, 

per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 


25 


The  Amended  Cuban  Tariff — Official  245 


312.  Biscuits : 

a.  Ordinary,  T iookil.. 

b.  Fine,  of  all  kinds,  including  the  immediate  package,  T. 

100  kil. . 

314.  Honey per  gallon.. 

315.  Molasses do 

316.  Sugar,  raw per  pound.. 

317.  Sugar,  refined do.... 

318.  Saccharine do.... 


Class  XIII. — Miscellaneous  Goods 

319.  Fans  : 

a.  With  mountings  of  bamboo,  reeds,  or  other  wood,  T.kilog. . 

b.  With  mountings  of  horn,  bone,  composition,  or  metal  (other 

than  gold  or  silver),  N.  W kilog. . 

c.  With  mountings  of  tortoise  shell,  ivory,  or  mother-of-pearl; 

also  fans  of  kid  skin,  silk  tissue,  or  feathers,  N.  W.  .kilog. . 

320.  Trinkets  and  ornaments  of  all  kinds,  except  those  of  gold  and 

silver,  N.  W kilog. . 

321.  Amber,  jet,  tortoise-shell,  coral,  ivory,  and  mother-of-pearl : 

a.  Unwrought,  N.  W kilog., 

b.  Wrought,  N.  W do.... 

322.  Horn,  whalebone,  celluloid,  meerschaum,  and  bone  ; also  com- 

positions imitating  these  materials  or  those  of  the  preceding 
number  : 

a.  Unwrought,  N.  W kilog.. 

b.  Wrought,  N.  W do.... 

323.  Walking-sticks  and  sticks  for  umbrellas  and  parasols,  .hundred. . 

324.  Buttons  of  all  kinds  other  than  gold  or  silver,  N.  W kilog. . 

325.  Hair,  human,  manufactured  into  articles  of  all  kinds  or  any  shape, 

N.  W kilog. . 

326.  Cartridges,  with  or  without  projectiles  or  bullets,  for  unprohibited 

firearms  ; also  primers  and  caps  for  such  arms,  T. . .100  kil. . 

327.  Tarpaulins  coated  with  sand,  for  vans  ; felts  and  tow,  tarred  or 

coated  with  pitch,  G.  W 100  kil. . 

328.  Oilcloths  : 

a.  For  floors  and  packing  purposes,  T do. . .. 

b.  Other,  T kilog.. 

Pads  and  brief  cases  of  oilcloth  shall  be  liable  to  a surtax  of 

40  per  cent. 

329.  Cases  : 

a.  Of  fine  wood  or  leather,  lined  with  silk  ; other  similar  cases, 

N.  W kilog. . 

b.  Of  common  wood,  cardboard,  osier,  and  the  like,  N.  W. 

kilog . . 


$0.60 

2.50 
.20 
.06 
.015 
.02 

1.50 


$0.15 

.60 

.80 

• 75 

1. 00 
1.80 


.60 

1.20 

4.00 
.20 

5 00 

30.00 

.28 

3.00 
.06 


• 75 


.20 


246 


Industrial  Cuba 


330.  Artificial  flowers  of  tissue,  also  pistils,  buds,  leaves,  and  seeds,  of 

any  kind  of  material,  for  the  manufacture  of  flowers,  N.  W., 

kilog..  $1.00 

331.  Matches  of  wax,  wood,  or  cardboard,  including  the  immediate 

packages,  N.  W kilog. . .20 

332.  Caoutchouc  and  gutta-percha  manufactured  in  any  shape  or  into 

any  kind  of  article  not  specially  mentioned,  T kilog. . .05 

333.  Games  and  toys,  other  than  those  of  tortoise  shell,  ivory,  mother- 

of-pearl,  gold,  or  silver,  T kilog..  .10 

334.  Umbrellas  and  parasols  : 

a.  Covered  with  silk each..  .10 

b.  Other do....  .05 

335.  Oil  paintings per  cent,  ad  valorem. . 25 

336.  Hats  of  straw  or  “guano”  bast,  straw  of  Curajoa,  and  the 

like dozen..  fo.ro 

337.  Hats  of  “ yarey,”  leghorn  or  Indian  straw,  rice  straw  or  esparto, 

and  their  imitations  : 


a.  Shaped  or  not,  but  without  lining,  ribbons,  borders,  or  trim- 


mings 

.80 

b.  Finished,  or  with  either  of  these  accessories. . 

1.40 

338. 

Hats  known  as  “ jipijapa,”  having  : 
a.  Up  to  4 straws,  inclusive 

4 50 

b.  Of  from  4 to  6 straws,  inclusive 

8.00 

c.  More  than  6 straws 

30.00 

339- 

Hats  of  woollen  felt  : 

a.  Shaped  or  not,  but  without  ribbons,  borders, 
shapes  for  the  manufacture  of  these  hats. . . . 

or  lining,  and 

.40 

b.  Finished,  with  ribbons,  borders,  or  lining, 
these  accessories 

with  either  of 

.80 

340.  Hats  of  felt  of  hair,  carded  or  not,  and  those  of  silk,  velvet, 
cloth,  cashmere,  satin,  or  plush  : 
a.  Shaped  or  not,  but  without  ribbons,  borders,  or  lining,  and 


shapes  for  the  manufacture  of  these  hats 

• 75 

b.  Finished,  with  ribbons,  borders,  or  lining,  or  with  either  of 

these  accessories 

1. 00 

341. 

Hats  for  ladies  or  children,  with  whatever  kind  of  trimmings  or 

accessories 

• 40 

342. 

Caps  of  all  kinds 

.40 

343- 

Waterproof  and  caoutchouc  stuffs  : 

a.  On  cotton  tissue,  T 

• 25 

b.  On  woollen  or  silk  tissue,  T 

.50 

Class  XIV. — Tobacco 

344- 

Tobacco  : 

a.  In  cakes,  so-called  “ breva,"  or  in  carrots 

$10.50 

b.  In  powder  or  snuff,  or  otherwise  manufactured. . 

.13 

The  Amended  Cuban  Tariff — Official 


247 


c.  Leaf  tobacco,  stemmed,  or  unstemmed,  whether  wrapper  or 

filler per  pound..  $5.00 

d.  Cigars,  cigarettes,  cheroots  of  all  kinds,  $4.50  per  pound  and 

25  per  cent,  ad  valorem. 

Paper  cigars  and  cigarettes,  including  wrappers,  shall  be  subject 
to  the  same  duties  as  are  herein  imposed  on  cigars. 

345.  On  all  other  goods,  wares,  merchandise,  and  effects,  not  other- 
wise enumerated  or  provided  for,  except  crude  materials, 

per  cent,  ad  valorem . . 25 

345<i.  On  crude  materials,  not  otherwise  enumerated do.  • 10 


EXPORT  RATES  OF  DUTY 


Tobacco  : 

Manufactured — 

a.  Cigarettes  in  boxes thousand. . 

b.  Tobacco,  cut 100  kil. . 

c.  Cigars thousand. . 


In  the  leaf  or  filler  tobacco — 

a.  Harvested  in  the  Province  of  Santiago  de  Cuba  and  exported 

through  the  custom-houses  of  Santiago,  Gibara,  or  Man- 
zanillo  100  kil. . 

b.  Other do. . . . 


0.90 

3-75 

i-35 


2.20 

6.30 


CHAPTER  XVII 


REVENUE  OF  CUBA— INTERNAL  TAXES 


IN  the  two  preceding  chapters  the  attention  of  the  reader 
has  been  called  to  the  revenue  of  Cuba  derived  from 
custom-house  receipts,  which  aggregates  about  $15,000,000 
of  the  $26,000,000  required  by  the  Spanish  to  pay  the  gov- 
ernmental expenses  of  the  Island.  Before  ascertaining  the 
way  in  which  this  money  has  been  expended,  and  before 
making  any  suggestion  as  to  possible  division  of  revenue  for 
the  future,  it  may  be  well  to  pass  briefly  in  review  the  other 
sources  of  revenue  ; and  in  this  process  the  land,  professional, 
and  internal  taxes  come  in  for  consideration.  The  Spanish 
Government  estimated  that  the  revenue  from  these  com- 
bined sources  for  1898-99  would  be  $7,783,150.  This 
amount — when  added  to  the  customs,  $14,705,000;  the  lot- 
teries, $1,900,500;  income  from  State  property,  $435,000; 
and  miscellaneous  revenue,  $1,536,000, — practically  com- 
pleted the  budget,  as  given  in  the  opening  of  Chapter  XV. 
Dismissing  lotteries,  the  most  important  source  of  Cuban 
revenue  has  been  from  land  and  professional  taxes,  which 
should  yield  under  normal  conditions  the  following  amount : 


TAXES  AND  IMPOSTS 


Sources. 

Sovereignty  taxes 

Impost  on  mining  property 

Taxes  on  city  property  at  12  per  cent 

Taxes  on  rural  property,  irrespective  of  cultivation,  at  2 per  cent. . . 
Taxes  on  industry,  commerce,  and  the  professions,  including  | per 

cent,  from  contractors 

Tax  on  personal  drafts  (cedulas) 

Liquor  consumption  tax 


Dollars. 

650.000 
10,000 

1.600.000 

150.000 

1.400.000 
150,000 

1.300.000 


848 


Carried  forward. 


5,260,000 


Revenue  of  Cuba — Internal  Taxes  249 


Sources.  Dollars. 

Brought  forward 5,260,000 

Sale  of  liquor  licences 120,000 

Additional  tax  of  10  per  cent,  on  transportation  of  passengers  and  3 

per  cent,  on  that  of  merchandise 300,000 

Discount  on  payments 70,000 

Tax  of  1 per  cent,  on  payments 400,000 


Deduct  5 per  cent,  commission  for  the  collection  of  personal  drafts 
(cedulas) 


6,150,000 

7.500 


Total 


6,142,500 


The  following  important  statement  in  regard  to  the  taxes 
of  Cuba  other  than  customs  duties  was  prepared  by  Josd 
Anton  Alcala,  chief  of  the  tax  bureau  of  the  Banco  Espaftol 
of  Cuba,  for  Hon.  Charles  W.  Gould,  of  the  Department  of 
Justice,  and  through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Gould  has  been 
made  part  of  this  chapter: 


“We  have  selected  for  our  explanations  the  collection  of  taxes 
during  the  year  1894  to  1895  because  it  is  the  latest  year  in  which 
taxes  were  collected  with  regularity  and  the  accounts  of  the 
yearly  production  to  the  State  duly  verified.  In  our  statements 
appear  only  the  sums  belonging  to  the  public  Treasury  and  by  no 
means  the  total  amount  of  receipts  collected.  A reason  for  this 
is  that  with  the  exception  of  the  capital  of  the  Island  all  receipts 
of  taxes  in  Cuba  include,  as  an  additional  tax,  the  sums  which 
belong  to  the  municipalities.  Both  taxes  and  the  agreed  expenses 
for  collection  are  perceived  jointly.  We  hope  thus  to  render 
clearer  which  are  the  real  taxes,  in  behalf  of  the  Treasury. 
Otherwise  it  would  be  necessary,  in  order  to  form  a judgment, 
to  make  in  each  case  a deduction  of  the  sums  belonging  to  the  mu- 
nicipalities, which  are  of  18  per  cent,  over  the  Treasury  taxes  on 
the  city  real  estates,  of  100  per  cent,  for  the  country  estates,  and  of 
25  per  cent,  for  the  industrial  taxes.  As  expenses  for  collection, 
5 per  cent,  on  the  total  amount  belonging  to  the  Treasury  is 
charged. 

“ Here  is  the  rule  followed  to  impose  taxes  for  real-estate, 
city,  and  real-estate,  country  : 

“ On  city  estate,  25  per  cent,  on  the  amount  of  the  rent  which 
the  proprietor  declares  to  perceive  is  discounted,  and  over  the 
remaining  75,  12  per  cent,  is  imposed. 


250 


Industrial  Cuba 


“ On  country  estates,  2 per  cent,  is  charged  on  the  rent  which 
the  proprietor  declares  to  perceive,  without  any  previous  discount. 

“ The  Industrial  Subsidy  affects  every  citizen  who  should  ex- 
ercise any  industry,  profession,  trade,  art,  or  employ.  A relation 
of  them  is  made,  being  arranged  by  tariffs,  classes,  and  numbers, 
with  expression  of  the  portion  anyone  ought  to  satisfy  according 
to  the  last  Regulation  and  Tariffs  approved  by  the  Government 
on  1 2th  of  May,  1893.  These  relations,  named  matriculas,  are 
made  every  year. 

“ There  are  also  the  patentes  or  receipts  of  taxes  on  certain 
industries  which  satisfy  their  duties  per  annum  and  in  advance. 
If  the  industrial  stops  business  before  the  year  is  over,  he  has  no 
right  to  claim  the  balance.  To  this  class  belong  certain  shops, 
hawkers  ( vendedores  ambulantes),  veterinary  surgeons,  etc.  The 
amount  to  be  paid  in  each  case  is  unchangeable  and  it  is  fixed 
in  a special  tariff  for  the  patentes. 

There  are  also  receipts  called  of  ‘ occasional  amounts.’  They 
include  the  receipts  from  the  taxpayers  who  begin  or  stop  busi- 
ness. As  taxes  as  a rule  are  collected  quarterly,  these  receipts 
are  for  the  amount  of  time  during  the  three  months  in  which  the 
taxpayer  is  a debtor  to  the  Treasury. 

“ ‘ Occasional  taxes  ’ and  patentes  amounted,  for  the  whole 
Island,  during  the  year  1894  to  1895,  to  the  sum  of  $133,283.31 
for  the  public  Treasury.  We  do  not  include  that  total  in  our 
statements  because  it  is  collected  only  occasionally. 

“ It  is  to  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  total  of  taxes  is  never 
collected  in  Cuba,  and  that  there  is  always  a deficit,  which  has 
been  less  since  the  Spanish  Bank  is  the  collector. 

“Here  is  the  total  collection  of  taxes  during  the  year  1894 
to  1895  : 


Havana  Province 90.84  per  cent. 

Matanzas  “ 89.72  “ 

Santa  Clara  “ 87.73  *' 

Pinar  del  Rio  “ 78.34  “ 

Santiago  de  Cuba  “ 66.59  “ 

Puerto  Principe  “ 93-65  “ 


“ The  last-mentioned  province  gives  such  a good  result  (not- 
withstanding the  very  great  difficulties  in  collecting,  over  only 
five  municipal  districts  which  are  on  a very  large  area  of  land), 
because  the  capital  of  the  province  and  the  city  of  Nuevitas 


Revenue  of  Cuba — Internal  Taxes  251 


afforded  a splendid  revenue.  In  the  province  of  Santiago  de 
Cuba  the  collection  is  harder  than  in  any  other,  on  account  of 
the  scarce  and  bad  roads  and  means  of  communication. 

“ In  the  lists  of  collection  of  ‘ Industrial  Subsidy  ’ in  the  pro- 
vince of  Havana,  there  appears  a great  number  of  taxpayers  who 
have  not  existed  for  many  years  and  whom,  nevertheless,  the  ad- 
ministration continues  to  keep  on  its  records,  because  every  new 
administrator  is  reluctant  to  confess  that  the  taxpayers  have 
decreased  during  his  time  of  office. 

“ There  are  reasons  to  suspect  that  there  are  concealments  of 
taxpayers  in  the  city  estates  list.  A new  record  ( catastro ),  made 
by  an  intelligent  and  honest  administration,  would  surely  give  a 
rise  in  the  collection  of  taxes. 

“The  collection  of  taxes  is  in  charge  of  the  Banco  Espanol  de 
la  Isla  de  Cuba,  which  has  branches  at  Matanzas,  Cardenas,  Cien- 
fuegos,  Sagua,  and  Santiago  de  Cuba,  and  auxiliary  offices  at 
Puerto  Principe  and  Pinar  del  Rio. 

“The  Island  has  been  divided  into  groups  of  towns  near  those 
cities.  The  representatives  of  the  Bank  collect  the  taxes  them- 
selves in  the  cities  where  they  live,  and  by  delegates  in  the  other 
towns. 

“ The  actual  contract  signed  by  the  Government  and  the  Bank 
began  in  1892-93,  and  holds  good  for  ten  years.  The  Bank  re- 
ceives as  a commission  5 per  cent,  upon  the  total  amount  of  the 
taxes  to  collect,  presented  by  the  public  Treasury.  As  the  Bank 
has  no  interference  whatever,  when  the  lists  of  taxes  are  made,  it 
confines  itself  to  collecting  what  the  public  Treasury  declares  in 
its  own  lists.  The  Bank,  therefore,  is  merely  an  agent. 

“ City  and  country  taxes  are  collected  quarterly,  semi-annually, 
and  annually.  Industrial  Subsidy  is  only  collected  by  quarterly 
receipts.  Annual  receipts  are  applied  to  the  estates  whose  taxes 
do  not  exceed  the  sum  of  eight  dollars  a year  ; the  semi-annual 
are  for  those  that  do  not  exceed  the  sum  of  ten  dollars  a year. 

“ The  annual  receipts  and  the  receipts  for  the  first  six  months 
of  the  year  are  collected  jointly  with  the  receipts  for  the  first 
three  months.  The  second  six  months’  receipts  are  collected  with 
the  second  three  months’.  This  explains  why  there  is  an  increase 
in  the  collection  of  taxes  in  some  places,  during  the  first  and 
second  three  months  of  each  year.  Some  sudden  increases  hap- 


252 


Industrial  Cuba 


pen  also  in  some  places  in  the  ‘Industrial  Subsidy’  during  cer- 
tain quarterly  collections.  This  is  due  to  the  collection  of  re- 
ceipts from  some  corporations  which  pay  12^  per  cent,  of  their 
profits  according  to  their  balances.  Railway  companies  pay  6^ 
per  cent,  of  their  profits.  State  contractors  pay  per  cent. 

“Taxpayers  who  do  not  pay  their  taxes  at  the  time  fixed  for 
it  are  subject  to  the  procedure  called  apremios,  according  to  the 
rules  of  May  15,  1885,  approved  by  the  Government.  When 
apremios  are  to  begin,  taxpayers  are  duly  warned  by  mail,  giving 
them  time  enough  to  pay  their  taxes  before  incurring  trouble. 

Apremios  are  of  three  degrees  : The  first  consists  in  an  increase 
on  the  tax  of  5 per  cent.  ; the  second  consists  in  the  seizure  and 
afterwards  the  sale  at  public  auction  of  chattel  and  live  stock, 
besides  a further  increase  of  7 per  cent.  ; the  third  consists  in 
the  seizure  and  sale  at  public  auction  of  real  estate,  besides  a 
further  increase  of  9 per  cent. 

“ These  rules  embody  many  details.  They  are  obscure  and  com- 
plicated. According  to  them,  long  proceedings  are  made  against 
morose  taxpayers,  a characteristic  of  Spanish  bureaucracy.’’ 

The  two  tables  which  follow  show  the  face  value  of  the 
tax  receipts  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Spanish  Bank  for  a 
series  of  years  and  the  actual  amounts  collected.  They  have 
been  carefully  compiled  by  the  author  from  official  sources 
and  are  believed  to  be  reliable: 


TABLE  I.— FACE  VALUE  OF  TAX  RECEIPTS  HANDED  TO 
SPANISH  BANK  FOR  COLLECTION 


Years. 

City 

Property. 

Rural  Real 
Estate. 

Taxes  on 
Professions, 
Trades,  etc. 

Minor 

Taxes. 

Total. 

1886-87 

$ 2,520,061.51 
2,565,834.77 

2,633,49!  17 

2,451,866.27 

2,498,060.52 

2,093,492.10 

1.989.290.65 
1,889,814.97 
1,884,766.87 
*1905,73* -44 
2,060,263.25 

1.924.866.65 

$ 507.739-70 

472.909-25 

$ 1. 963. 778.  S3 
2,090,306.46 
2,030,542.86 
1,895,638.08 

$ 249,071.76 

$ 5,240,651.50 
5,386,627.83 
5,316,367  60 
4,878,047.21 
5,336,611.25 
4,242,982.34 
5,357,928.97 

X887-88 

l888-8<) 

2574577-35 

141,876.76 

136,604.67 

393,938.19 

693.323-04 

386,578.79 

784,943-09 

804,838.90 

814,006.33 

823,600.47 

2, 027,43s. 32 

1,654,306.58 

2,452,044.86 

2,183,355.47 

**7.792-37 

108,604.87 

131,650.37 

1892-93 

167,096.27 

5,092,200.41 

5,163,321.70 

4,907,654-17 

2,297.452.23 

2,073,581.75 

*°4i73*-5* 

8ll,470.78 

1,609,094.32 

*°5i453-12 

85**63.40 

4, 43°, 595**5 

S26.417.540.17 

$7,884,766.50 

$244273,078.88 

$1,819,873.52 

$60,395,193.13 

ROAD  IN  A PINE  GROVE  OF  VUELTA  ABAJO. 


Revenue  of  Cuba — Internal  Taxes  253 


TABLE  II.— ACTUAL  AMOUNT  OF  TAXES  COLLECTED  BY 
THE  SPANISH  BANK 


Years. 

City 

Property. 

Rural  Real 
Estate. 

Taxes  on 
Professions, 
Trades,  etc. 

Minor 

Taxes. 

Total. 

l886-87 

8 2,275,853.10 

$ 468,245.88 

$ 1,662,664,91 

$ 249,071.76 

$ 4,655,835.65 

1887  88 

2,347i957-42 

436,222.17 

1,716,689.28 

257.577-35 

4.758,446.22 

l888-89 

2,380,545-54 

466,897.68 

1,705,509-13 

141,876.91 

4,694,829.26 

I889-9O 

2,227,503.12 

363,222.63 

1,576,865.82 

136,615.59 

4,304,207.16 

I89O-9I 

2,227,217.01 

619,271.48 

1,605,106.40 

117,792.36 

4,659,477-25 

I89I-92 

1,851,515-43 

345,743-88 

1,391,013.56 

108,604.87 

3,696,877.74 

1892-93 

1,789,106.74 

717,760.37 

1,996,761.13 

131,650.37 

4,6-55,278.61 

J893-94 

1,728,234.60 

722,572.96 

1,842,921.66 

214,191.07 

4,507,920.29 

1894-95 

I»7°3>327*71 

684,296.62 

1,870,617.89 

167,096.27 

4,425,338.49 

I895-96 

1,594,158.79 

371,845.50 

1,468,294.18 

104,731-51 

3,539,029.98 

I896-97 

1,523,368.43 

224,870.98 

1,412,890.84 

105,453.12 

3,266,583.37 

I897-98 

1,140,230.12 

89,661.98 

1,062,686.71 

85,163.40 

2,377,742.21 

$22,789,018.01 

$5. 510, 6l2. 13 

$19,402,111.51 

$1,819,824.58 

$49,521,566.23 

The  following  table  is  compiled  from  the  totals  of  the  de- 
tailed tables  above,  and  shows  the  amount  of  the  taxes  col- 
lected by  the  Bank  of  Spain  and  the  amount  and  percentage 
of  delinquent  taxes  in  each  year  for  twelve  years.  It  is 
probable  that  the  amount  for  the  half  of  the  present  fiscal 
year  is  relatively  greater: 


TAX  RECEIPTS  HANDED  TO  SPANISH  BANK  FOR 
COLLECTION 


Years. 

Face  Value. 

Actual  Amount 
Collected. 

Total  Delinquent 
Taxes. 

Percentage  of 
Delinquent  Tax 
Each  Year. 

1886-87 

$ 5,240,651.50 

$ 4.655,835-65 

$ 584,815.85 

11. 16 

1887-88 

5,386,627.83 

4,758,446.22 

628,181.61 

11.66 

1888-89 

5,316,367.60 

4,694,829.26 

621,538.34 

n.69 

1889-90 

4,878,047.21 

4,304,207.16 

573,840.05 

n.76 

1890-91 

5,336,611.25 

4,659.477.25 

677,134.00 

12.69 

1891-92 

4,242,982.34 

3,696,877.74 

546,104.60 

12.87 

1892-93 

5,357,928-97 

4,635,278.61 

722,650.36 

13-49 

1893-94 

5,092,200.41 

4,507,920.29 

584,280.12 

11.47 

1894-95 

5,163,321.70 

4,425.338.49 

737,983-21 

14.29 

1895-96 

4,907,654.17 

3,539,029.98 

1,368,624.19 

27.88 

1896-97 

5,042,205.00 

3,266,583.37 

1,775,621.63 

35.21 

1897-98 

4,430,595-15 

2,377,742.21 

2,052,852.94 

46.33 

Total 

$60,395,193.13 

$49,521,566.23 

$10,873,626.90 

18.04 

254 


Industrial  Cuba 


Of  course  this  difference  does  not  absolutely  represent  the 
uncollected  taxes,  because  the  Government  officials  may 
have  subsequently  been  able  to  secure  collections  from  some 
of  the  delinquents.  The  delinquent  column  is  also  very 
greatly  enlarged  by  reason  of  the  fact  that  the  Government 
authorities  place  in  the  hands  of  the  Spanish  Bank  a large 
number  of  worthless  receipts — that  is,  receipts  in  which  the 
taxpayer  is  dead  or  the  properties  destroyed.  This  explana- 
tion, of  course,  exonerates  the  Spanish  Bank,  and  shows 
that  it  collects  the  taxes  in  a businesslike  way;  but  it  does 
not  change  matters  from  a revenue  point  of  view.  That 
remains  the  same.  It  is  probable,  however,  that  under  the 
new  conditions  it  will  be  easy  so  to  levy  these  taxes  that 
they  will  yield  annually  from  $4,000,000  to  $5,000,000  in 
revenue.  In  thus  proceeding  the  United  States  authorities 
will  unquestionably  abolish  some  of  the  most  onerous. 

The  receipts  from  internal  taxes  are  estimated  as  follows: 

INTERNAL  REVENUE 


Stamped  paper $350,000 

Postage  stamps 300,000 

Stamped  paper  for  payment  to  the  State 250,000 

Stamps  for  the  same 50,000 

Telegraph  stamps 40,000 

Bills  of  Health 3,000 

Stamps  for  diplomas  and  matriculation 90,000 

Stamped  paper  for  municipal  fines 1,000 

Postal  cards 2,000 

Papal  Bulls 1,000 

Revenue  stamps  for  drafts,  etc 60,000 

“ receipts,  etc 300,000 

Stamps  on  policies 20,000 

Revenue  stamp  on  consumption  of  matches 260,000 


$1,727,000 

Deduct  commission  for  sale  of  the  above 86,350 


Total $1,640,650 


This  source  of  revenue  will  be  greatly  increased  under 
American  control,  though  it  will  come  from  improved 


Revenue  of  Cuba — Internal  Taxes  255 


postal  and  telegraph  facilities,  increase  in  banking  business, 
and  other  legitimate  sources  of  internal  revenue.  The  in- 
ternal taxes  of  Cuba  must  be  fully  revised.  If  this  work  is 
intelligently  performed,  the  same  revenue  can  be  obtained 
in  a manner  far  less  odious  to  the  taxpayer. 

This  table  practically  completes  the  sources  of  Cuban 
revenue,  for  the  miscellaneous  sources  are  of  an  intermittent 
character,  and  the  lotteries  revenue  is  not  likely  to  cut  any 
figure  in  the  future  finances  of  the  Island.  In  the  next 
chapter  the  author  will  briefly  consider  how  the  money  has 
been  expended  and  give  some  suggestions  as  to  the  future 
division  of  the  funds  collected. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 


HOW  THE  REVENUE  WAS  SPENT 

IN  dealing  with  expenditures,  the  factors  become  more 
certain  quantities  than  those  present  in  the  forecasting 
of  possible  revenue.  The  money  collected  from  Cuba, 
whether  it  was  $26,000,000  or  more,  has  all  gone,  and 
nothing  was  found  in  the  treasury  when  the  United  States 
forces  took  possession  but  numerous  evidences  of  promises 
to  pay,  records  of  receipts  given  by  the  Government  for 
goods  not  paid  for,  and  debts  of  all  kinds,  including  the 
salaries  of  a large  number  of  the  minor  officials.  The  first 
and  most  important  item  of  expenditure  is,  as  has  been 
said,  for  sovereignty  expenses,  and  aggregates  a sum  ex- 
ceeding $22,000,000.  These  expenses  are  subdivided  as 
follows : 


I.  Interest  on  Public  Debt  and  General  Expenses.  .$12,574,709.12 

State  Church,  and  Justice  320  072  63 

™ar 5,896:740.73 

IV.  Navy 1,055,136.13 

V.  Executive 2,645,149.98 

$22,500,808.59 

The  largest  single  item  in  these  expenditures  is  that  of 

the  interest  on  the  public  debt  and  general  expenses,  which 

aggregates  $I. * * * * * * * * * * I2>574,7°9- I2-  Of  the  total,  about  $10,500,000 

undoubtedly  found  its  way  to  Spain  to  pay  interest  and 

sinking-fund  payments  on  the  enormous  debt  which  Spain 
had  saddled  upon  Cuba.  There  has  been  much  controversy 
over  this  debt,  and  as  the  discussion  has  ended  by  the 

256 


How  the  Revenue  was  Spent 


257 


American  Peace  Commission  insisting  on  Spain’s  assuming 
the  debt,  and  thus  freeing  Cuba  forever  from  the  legal 
obligation,  a brief  review  of  the  subject  will  be  of  interest 
to  the  reader.  Owing  to  the  fact  that  Cuba  has  been,  until 
United  States  occupancy,  a colony  without  personality  and 
without  real  representation,  the  question  of  the  public  debt 
was  never  properly  settled.  The  Spanish  Government,  the 
Cubans  contend,  arbitrarily  burdened  the  Island  with  the 
weight  of  the  whole  war  debt  of  1868-78.  The  Cubans  have 
rightly  taken  the  ground  that  this  debt  was  Spanish,  not 
Cuban.  As  a matter  of  fact,  the  Spanish  Government, 
during  the  insurrection  of  1868-78,  never  admitted  that 
there  was  any  war  in  Cuba,  affirming,  on  the  contrary,  that 
the  trouble  was  only  a disturbance  limited  to  some  parts  of 
the  Island,  and  that  the  immense  majority  of  the  population 
of  Cuba  were  loyal  Spaniards.  The  conclusion  to  be  drawn 
from  this  official  fact  and  from  its  assertion  by  the  Govern- 
ment was  that  Cuba  was  not  bound  to  pay  the  expenses  of 
that  revolt.  A somewhat  similar  instance  occurred  in  the 
Peninsula  at  the  same  time.  The  Carlist  War  was  likewise 
a very  serious  disturbance  spread  over  some  important  pro- 
vinces of  Spain.  The  cost,  however,  of  that  war  was  not 
charged  to  the  revolted  provinces,  but  was  considered  a 
national  debt.  Besides,  there  are  some  items  which  have 
been  held  as  forming  part  of  the  Cuban  debt,  which  by  no 
means  can  be  accepted  as  such.  Thirty  or  forty  years  ago 
Spain  sustained  war  with  Mexico,  San  Domingo,  and  Peru, 
the  cost  of  those  three  wars  having  been  charged  to  the 
Cuban  Treasury,  which,  since  then,  has  annually  paid  the 
interest  thereon.  In  1878  or  1879,  a general  liquidation  of 
Cuban  accounts  took  place,  in  which  the  “ Banco  Hispano- 
Colonial  ” of  Barcelona  assumed  a very  important  position. 
Probably  the  cost  of  the  three  above-mentioned  wars  (in 
Mexico,  San  Domingo,  and  Peru)  and  some  other  accounts 
were  then  settled. 

Not  even  the  smallest  part  of  the  whole  debt  has  been 

employed  in  any  kind  of  Cuban  improvement.  A memo- 
*7 


Industrial  Cuba 


258 

randum  prepared  by  the  Cuban  planters  and  addressed  to 
Madrid  in  1894  thus  referred  to  the  debt: 

“ This  debt  has  its  origin  in  the  extraordinary  expenses  of  the 
civil  war  (1868-78),  and  it  has  since  been  increased,  first  by  the 
administrative  demoralisation  which  is  so  evident  to  all  those  who 
live  in  Cuba,  and  which  has  been  so  well  described  in  the  Cortes 
by  ministers  and  by  representatives  belonging  to  all  political 
parties;  and  secondly,  by  the  deficits  originating  in  the  fiscal  laws, 
the  first  object,  or  aim,  of  which  has  been  (particularly  since  the 
year  1882),  more  than  the  regulation  of  public  expenses,  to  secure 
an  excessive  protection  to  the  Spanish  industries.  And,  so 
formed,  the  public  debt,  which,  as  well  in  the  years  of  insurrec- 
tion as  in  the  years  of  peace,  has  enriched  so  many  people, 
represents  the  ruins  of  the  war,  the  disorders  of  the  public  ad- 
ministration, and  the  injustice  of  the  fiscal  laws.” 

During  the  discussion  of  the  Cuban  debt  by  the  Peace 
Commission  in  Paris  last  autumn,  the  Ecotiomiste  Frattgais 
contained  an  article  by  Paul  Leroy  Beaulieu,  proposing  an 
arrangement  or  compromise,  with  the  bondholders,  of  part 
of  the  Cuban  debt  (about  $140,000,000).  The  author  of  the 
article  admitted  that  Cuba  was  not  bound  to  pay  the  cost 
of  the  last  insurrection  (of  1895-98).  As  the  Economiste 
Frangais  represents  the  interests  of  the  French  public  and  of 
the  great  French  banking  houses  that  have  largely  invested 
in  Cuban  bonds  of  the  issues  of  1886  and  1890,  the  inference 
to  be  finally  drawn  from  the  above-mentioned  article  is 
rather  in  favour  of  Cuba.  If  Spain  thus  lent  her  guarantee, 
she  did  so  in  obedience  to  a necessity  and  as  a business  con- 
venience, in  order  to  prop  up  her  colonial  and  commercial 
system.  The  Spanish  nation  believed  that  her  domination 
in  Cuba  would  be  lasting,  and  that  the  remote  danger  of 
being  called  upon  to  pay  the  Cuban  debt  was  more  than 
compensated  by  the  enormous  amount  of  wealth  which  she 
drew  every  year  from  the  colony. 

If,  instead  of  extorting,  yearly,  millions  of  dollars,  the 
Government  of  Spain  had  applied  the  superabundant  re- 


How  the  Revenue  was  Spent 


259 


sources  of  the  Island  to  the  extinction  of  the  debt,  it  is  cer- 
tain that  in  1895  the  whole  of  it  would  have  been  paid  off. 
It  may  unquestionably  be  asserted  that  Cuba  has,  in  many 
ways,  from  1878  to  1895,  spent  enormous  sums  of  money, 
millions  of  dollars,  in  payment  of  debts  not  really  her  own, 
— but  with  this  difference,  namely,  that  the  whole  of  the 
money  lost  to  the  colony,  instead  of  going  to  redeem  the 
outstanding  Cuban  bonds,  has  been  spent  in  Spain,  either 
in  a reproductive  way,  or  otherwise.  The  amount  in  Spain 
of  the  manufacturing,  commercial,  and  agricultural  riches, 
dwelling-houses,  and  even  palaces,  country  villas,  and  other 
investments,  representing  Cuban  wealth  which  has  been 
transferred  without  any  return,  is  incredible.  The  magnifi- 
cent fleet  of  steamers  of  the  Transatlantic  Company  enters 
into  this  category.  At  the  same  time,  the  unhappy  Cubans 
who  produced  that  wealth  suffered  want  and  went  into 
bankruptcy ; for  the  Spanish  exactions  absorbed  not  only 
the  profits  of  Cuban  industries,  but  also  a part  of  its  gross 
production,  and  in  that  way  encroached  on  the  industrial 
capital  of  the  Island.  The  encroachment  was  shown  and 
evinced  by  the  accumulation  of  public  and  private  debts  in 
all  forms.  The  productive  classes  of  Cuba  have  always, 
though  in  vain,  protested  against  the  injustice  of  having 
this  burden  thrown  upon  the  treasury  of  the  Island,  which, 
as  is  shown  above,  has  been  compelled  to  pay  more  than 
$10,500,000  every  year  for  the  interest  and  sinking  fund  of 
this  unrighteous  debt. 

The  debt  which  was,  so  far  as  Cuba  is  concerned,  wiped 
out  by  the  American  Commission  in  Paris  must  have 
amounted  to  over  $500,000,000.  From  a variety  of  rather 
scrappy  data,  obtained  by  the  author  in  Havana,  a brief 
statement  of  the  Cuban  debt  has  been  made  up.  The 
debts  of  the  Cuban  Treasury  before  the  war  can  be  reduced 
to  five. 

First:  Spain’s  debt  to  the  United  States. 

Second:  Redeemable  debt  of  1 per  cent,  per  annum  and 
3 per  cent,  interest. 


26o 


Industrial  Cuba 


Third:  Annuity  debt. 

Fourth:  Mortgage  notes  of  1886. 

Fifth:  Mortgage  notes  of  1890. 

The  first  debt,  $600,000,  is  an  engagement  made  by  Spain 
and  signed  in  Madrid  on  the  17th  of  February,  1834,  to  pay 
the  United  States  the  amount  specified;  it  was  confirmed 
by  the  minister  of  the  Spanish  Treasury  in  a royal  order, 
dated  April  8,  1841,  ordering  the  payment  to  be  made  by 
the  Havana  Treasury. 

The  second  and  third  debts  have  been  almost  entirely 
converted  into  mortgage  notes. 

The  fourth  debt:  by  a royal  decree  of  May  10,  1886, 
1,240,000  notes  of  500  pesetas  each  (about  $124,000,000) 
were  issued,  redeemable  by  quarterly  drawings  and  paying 
six  per  cent,  per  annum  interest. 

The  fifth  debt:  by  a royal  decree  of  the  27th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1890,  1,750,000  mortgage  notes  of  500  pesetas  each 
(about  $175,000,000),  were  issued,  redeemable  at  par  by 
quarterly  drawings,  and  paying  five  per  cent,  per  annum 
interest. 

The  notes  of  these  last  two  emissions  are  placed  in  Paris 
and  London,  and  the  redemption  and  interest  thereon  are 
payable  in  gold  or  its  equivalent.  They  are  guaranteed  by 
the  customs,  post-ofifice,  and  stamp  revenue  of  the  Island  of 
Cuba,  and  the  direct  and  indirect  taxes,  and  besides  by  the 
Spanish  nation.  Besides,  during  the  last  war,  the  Spanish 
Government  made  an  internal  loan  against  the  Cuban  Treas- 
ury of  400,000,000  pesetas  ($80,000,000)  and  another  one  of 
200,000,000  pesetas  more  ($40,000,000),  guaranteed  by  the 
Spanish  customs.  The  floating  debt,  caused  by  the  war 
expenditure  and  payments  of  current  appropriations  in 
Cuba,  was  not  less  than  $100,000,000.  These  are  not 
exactly  official  statements,  and  yet  they  were  obtained 
personally  by  the  author  from  official  sources,  and  come 
close  to  the  mark.  Tabulated,  we  have  this: 


How  the  Revenue  was  Spent  261 

STATEMENT  OF  CUBAN  DEBT,  OCTOBER,  1898 

Spain’s  debt  to  the  United  States $600,000 

Notes  by  royal  decree  of  May  10,  18S6 124,000,000 

“ “ “ “ “ September  27,  1890 175,000,000 

Internal  loan  against  Cuban  Treasury 80,000,000 

“ “ “ Spanish  customs 40,000,000 

Floating  debt,  war  expenses,  etc 100,000,000 

$519,600,000 


Paul  Leroy  Beaulieu  gives  the  bonded  debt  of  Cuba  as 
2,032,000,000  pesetas,  or  $406,400,000.  This  evidently  does 
not  include  the  large  floating  debt  included  in  the  above 
estimate.  So  far  as  Cuba  is  concerned,  this  debt  has  been 
liquidated.  It  will,  therefore,  in  the  language  of  the  French 
economist,  be  “ absolutely  necessary  for  Spain  to  meet  the 
expenditure.”  Why  not  ? Spain  lost  the  game,  therefore 
she  must  pay  the  cost. 

The  largest  expenditure,  next  to  interest  on  debt,  was 
for  purposes  of  war,  $5,896,740.73.  The  expenses  of  the 
navy  aggregate  $1,055,136.13,  and  of  the  executive  depart- 
ment, $2,645,149.98.  Under  the  last  section  will  be  noted 
the  salary  of  the  Cuban  Governor-General,  $40,000,  and  the 
expenses  of  his  office,  $46,450,  aggregating  $86,450.  In 
this  division,  it  appears,  the  Civil  Guards  were  paid;  this 
body  of  men  received,  in  all,  $2,095,221.12.  The  second 
largest  item  in  this  total  is  the  subsidy  to  the  Compaflia 
Transatlantica,  which  amounts  to  $471,836.68.  A study  of 
these  several  items  will  at  once  show  that  the  principal  ex- 
penditures for  the  Island  of  Cuba  are  those  which  have, 
directly  or  indirectly,  to  do  with  the  control  of  the  Island 
by  Spain.  Ten  and  a half  millions,  annual  charge  for  the 
debt ; nearly  $7,000,000,  the  combined  cost  of  the  army  and 
navy;  while  upward  of  $2,000,000  of  the  total  amount  ex- 
pended under  the  classification  of  executive  went  to  the 
Civil  Guards,  who  have  been  used  for  patrolling  the  various 
parts  of  the  Island.  Here,  then,  we  have  a total  of  $19,- 
500,000  for  extraordinary  expenditures,  the  larger  portion 


262 


Industrial  Cuba 


of  which  will  be  abolished  now  the  public  debt  is  wiped  out 
and  peace  restored  to  Cuba. 

The  second  grand  division  of  expenditure  is  the  smallest, 
and  represents  the  amount  of  money  which  was  spent  strictly 
for  local  affairs,  and  not  in  the  defence  of  the  sovereignty, 
in  its  possession  of  Cuba,  and  the  payment  of  an  unjust 
debt.  One  of  the  first  items  of  expenditure  under  this  lat- 
ter head  is  the  result  of  the  concession  last  year  by  Spain  of 
autonomy  for  the  Island,  and  the  round  sum  of  $133,830  is 
paid  under  the  head  of  “ Colonial  Legislature.”  The 
second  section  is  for  the  church,  justice,  and  executive;  also 
for  the  courts  of  justice,  expenses  for  prisons  and  charitable 
institutions.  It  aggregates  $1,612,859.44.  The  next  most 
expensive  department  of  the  Government  seems  to  be  that 
of  the  Treasury,  the  salaries  of  the  secretary,  sub-secretaries, 
and  other  officers  aggregating  $218,725.  This  does  not  in- 
clude general  expenses,  which  make  another  item  of  this 
department,  aggregating  $33,500.  Under  the  head  of  con- 
tingent expenses  may  be  found  the  various  provincial  ad- 
ministrations of  the  Treasury;  the  cost  of  administration  of 
custom-houses  and  revenue  marine,  amounting  to  $472,370, 
giving  a total  for  the  department  of  $708,978.51. 

Public  instruction  fares  badly  in  Cuba.  Under  this  head, 
it  appears,  $247,033.02  were  expended.  The  largest  item 
in  these  expenditures  seems  to  be  for  the  University  of 
Havana  and  its  educational  adjuncts,  aggregating  $172,- 
840.80.  The  next  largest  item  is  the  salary  of  the  Secretary 
of  Education  and  the  inspectors  of  primary  instruction,  etc., 
aggregating  $58,300.  None  of  the  total  amount  seems  to 
go  for  common-school  education,  as  it  is  understood  in  the 
United  States.  Under  the  head  of  “ Public  Works  and 
Communications,”  $1,036,582. 10  was  expended.  The  pro- 
portion of  this  money  which  goes  for  salaries  is  very  large 
indeed.  The  largest  single  item  of  expenditure  is  given 
under  the  rather  dubious  heading  of  “ Communication,” 
and  aggregates  $417,640.  Repairs  and  care  of  public  build- 
ings, including  rent  of  buildings,  aggregates  $79, 500 ; postal 


A COCOANUT  GROVE. 


How  the  Revenue  was  Spent  263 


communication,  $114,514.  Marine  navigation,  including 
docks  and  sheds,  lighthouses  and  buoys,  aggregates  $98,- 
058;  and  the  construction  of  the  San  Cristobal  bridge, 
$49,000.  The  care  and  repair  of  public  roads  cost  $100,000; 
in  all  making  the  above-mentioned  total. 

The  agriculture,  industry,  and  commerce  of  Cuba,  like  the 
public  instruction,  in  the  broader  sense  of  the  word,  comes 
in  for  a meagre  share  of  the  small  amount  of  the  total 
budget,  which  seems  to  be  reserved  exclusively  for  expendi- 
tures for  the  benefit  of  the  Home  Government.  The 
aggregate  under  the  title  of  “ Agriculture,  Industry,  and 
Commerce”  is  $108,178.52,  the  most  of  which  is  used  in 
salaries  and  expenses  for  the  secretary’s  office,  for  which 
one-third  of  the  total  appropriation  is  expended.  Under 
the  head  of  ” Local  Fairs  of  Agricultural  Industries,”  $40,- 
000  is  appropriated.  The  forest  lands  seem  to  come  in  for 
some  attention;  at  least  $16,175  iS  expended  for  inspection 
under  this  head. 

These  form  the  chief  items  of  expenditure  for  all  purposes 
for  the  Island  of  Cuba.  Perhaps  it  would  be  more  accurate 
to  say  these  are  the  estimates  of  the  appropriations  which 
the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  thought  would  be  necessary 
to  run  the  government  on  the  present  plan.  It  is  only  ne- 
cessary to  study  these  interesting  tables  in  detail  to  see  where 
a large  amount  of  this  expenditure  can  be  reduced  or  abol- 
ished altogether.  In  doing  this,  however,  it  must  be  borne 
in  mind  that  other  expenses  will  be  necessary  in  order  satis- 
factorily and  honestly  to  administer  the  affairs  of  Cuba  in 
the  interests  of  the  people  of  the  Island. 

At  this  moment  it  is  impossible  to  make  a satisfactory 
estimate  of  the  new  budget,  nor  can  it  very  well  be  done 
until  after  the  United  States  authorities  have  been  in  full 
possession  for  at  least  twelve  months,  and  are  thus  able  to 
secure  complete  data  as  to  the  pressing  needs  of  the  Govern- 
ment of  Cuba.  Of  course,  the  large  items,  such  as  interest 
on  the  public  debt  and  expenditures  of  Spain  for  the  purpose 
of  conquering  the  Island  will  have  disappeared,  making  a 


264 


Industrial  Cuba 


reduction,  if  we  include  the  Civil  Guards,  of  $18,000,000  or 
$20,000,000.  To  forecast  how  much  of  this  amount  will  be 
required  for  immediate  expenditures  under  the  new  order 
of  things  is  impossible. 

In  recommending  revenue  laws  for  Cuba,  the  author  was 
aided  by  the  suggestions  of  Mr.  Fran  Figueras,  who  has 
given  the  subject  intelligent  consideration.  To  emphasise 
the  importance  of  giving  immediate  attention  to  a careful 
division  of  the  expenditures  for  the  central  government 
and  the  expenditures  for  local  purposes  (something  the 
Spanish  Government,  in  the  whole  history  of  its  manage- 
ment of  Cuba,  has  failed  to  do),  the  following  is  given  from 
a statement  made  to  the  author  by  Mr.  Figueras: 

“ The  right  to  impose  customs  duties  has  a rational  and  just 
limit;  it  is  determined  by  the  legitimate  needs  of  the  Treasury. 
All  in  excess  of  these  needs  converts  tax  into  an  unjust,  and 
therefore  insupportable  exaction.  With  due  attention  to  these 
considerations  and  bearing  in  mind  that  the  customs  duties  are 
the  real  source  of  revenue  in  the  Island  of  Cuba,  it  is  indispens- 
able to  determine  the  total  amount  of  expenditure  which  this 
revenue  must  liquidate.  If  these  expenditures  are  those  used  for 
public  defence,  central  government  administration  of  post-offices, 
justice,  public  works,  education,  and  any  other  which  it  would  not 
be  advisable  to  turn  over  to  the  municipal  or  provincial  govern- 
ments, we  may  safely  consider  that  six  million  to  eight  million 
dollars  annually  would  be  quite  sufficient.  This  is  the  largest 
revenue  the  American  Government  should  expect  from  the  ad- 
ministration of  customs  duties  in  Cuba.” 

Another  statement  well  worth  attention  in  this  connection 
is  that  of  Mr.  Philip  Pelaez,  a former  official  of  the  Span- 
ish Government  in  Cuba,  who  said  to  the  author  when  in 
Havana : 

“ Neither  in  the  administration  of  the  islands,  nor  in  the  min- 
istry of  the  colonies,  are  there  any  statistics  with  respect  to  the 
composition  of  the  tariffs,  and  only  a few  data  with  regard  to 
valuations.  This  is  as  much  as  can  be  stated  precisely  offhand 


How  the  Revenue  was  Spent 


265 


concerning  the  said  tariffs,  an  analysis  of  which,  article  by  article, 
it  would  be  very  difficult  to  get,  seeing  that  there  are  no  statistics 
of  the  real  importations.  Even  without  asking  these  investiga- 
tions, there  remains  for  the  Government  of  the  United  States  the 
most  interesting  problem  on  the  making  of  peace,  with  the  cession 
of  the  two  islands.  Is  free  trade  convenient  ? Is  a simple  tariff 
preferable  ? Would  it  not  be  more  prudent  to  keep  to  the  exist- 
ing one  ? Free  trade  at  the  present  time  would  impose  the  burden 
of  the  general  expenses  without  any  profit  and  with  great  dangers, 
the  most  immediate  being  the  paralysation  of  business,  the  flight 
of  existing  capital,  etc.  The  ad  valorem  tariff  diminishes  the 
receipts  and  gives  advantages  to  a multitude  of  foreign  articles. 
The  tariffs  now  in  force  would,  with  a few  changes,  suit  the 
islands  and  the  United  States  for  a long  time  to  come.” 

This  sets  forth  substantially  what  has  been  done.  The 
United  States  Government  has  made  no  violent  fiscal 
changes  in  Cuba.  Where  the  old  laws  and  methods  and 
customs  could  be  fitted  to  the  new  order  of  things,  they 
have  been  so  fitted.  The  first  and  only  radical  change  in 
the  revenue  system  of  Cuba  is  the  speedy  and  absolute 
separation  of  local  and  general  revenue.  That  which  is 
local  should  be  collected  by  local  authorities  and  regarded 
as  municipal  revenue,  to  be  expended  for  municipal  pur- 
poses; while  that  which  is  general  should  be  levied  and  col- 
lected by  general  authorities  and  expended  for  the  general 
welfare  of  the  Island.  The  general  fund,  after  careful 
consultation  with  the  governor  of  each  province,  should  be 
apportioned  geographically,  and  also  into  funds,  such  as  the 
following : 

a.  — Maintenance  of  the  general  government,  20  per  cent. 

b.  — Sanitary  and  other  improvements,  and  loans  to  cities 

therefor,  10  per  cent. 

c.  — Public  schools  and  education,  10  per  cent. 

d.  — To  pay  the  bonds  and  other  obligations  issued  by 

the  Provisional  Government  of  Cuba  and  its  duly 
authorised  agents  since  February,  24,  1895,  which 
in  the  aggregate  must  not  exceed  $2,500,000,  and 


266 


Industrial  Cuba 


to  pay  amounts  due  the  soldiers  of  the  Army  of 
Liberation,  20  per  cent. 

e. — Development  of  the  Island  by  the  building  of  rail- 
roads, properly  constructed  highways,  and  other 
means  of  communication,  25  per  cent. 

/.—The  repayment  of  the  cost  to  the  United  States  of 
the  temporary  military  occupation  pending  the 
establishment  of  the  proposed  stable  and  independ- 
ent government,  15  per  cent. 

As  all  the  expenses  of  the  municipal  and  local  govern- 
ment can  be  readily  provided  from  taxes  on  real  estate,  in- 
come tax,  liquor  licences,  and  other  internal-revenue  taxes, 
the  customs  revenue  can,  without  embarrassment,  be  de- 
voted to  and  amply  satisfy  all  general  governmental  require- 
ments as  scheduled  above.  The  percentages  above  suggested 
are,  of  course,  tentative,  and  must  not  be  regarded  as  more 
than  a rough  apportionment.  The  widest  possible  latitude 
should  be  given  each  provincial  governor  in  the  expenditure 
of  the  share  of  the  general  funds  allotted  him  for  sanitary 
and  other  improvements,  public  schools,  for  building  rail- 
roads, and  constructing  highways.  A study  of  the  Jamaica 
budget,  presented  in  Chapter  IV.,  might  help  in  a fair  ap- 
portionment of  funds  for  the  new  budget  of  Cuba.  The 
subject  has  not  yet  been  taken  up  systematically  by  the 
United  States  Government,  but  will  soon  need  attention, 
or  the  old  haphazard  Spanish  methods  will  receive  a new 
lease  of  life.  Such  a contingency  would  indeed  prove  a 
misfortune. 


CHAPTER  XIX 


COMMERCE 

SPEAKING  in  round  numbers,  the  commerce  of  Cuba 
during  the  last  normal  year  aggregated  about  $100,- 
000,000  of  exports  and  a trifle  over  $60,000,000  of  imports. 
From  these  figures  it  would  seem  that  the  balance  of  trade 
is  about  $40,000,000  in  favour  of  Cuba.  But  this  is  more 
apparent  than  real.  In  one  way  and  another  Spain  has 
annually  turned  away  from  the  Island  $40,000,000,  which, 
had  it  been  expended  in  Cuba  every  year,  would  have  added 
immeasurably  to  the  prosperity  of  the  country.  This  money 
went  to  Spain  in  a variety  of  ways.  Ten  and  a half  millions 
of  it  were  used  in  payment  of  a debt  which  did  not  justly 
belong  to  Cuba,  and  with  which  the  people  of  the  Island 
had  been  arbitrarily  burdened  without  their  consent.  Large 
sums  also  went  to  Spain  through  the  constantly  changing 
Spanish  civil  and  military  officials,  who  regarded  Cuba  as 
their  legitimate  field  for  plunder. 

It  has  been  estimated  elsewhere  in  this  volume  that  the 
total  commerce  of  Cuba,  had  the  affairs  of  the  Island  been 
honestly  and  economically  administered,  would  have  reached 
from  $200,000,000  to  $250,000,000,  so  prolific  is  the  country, 
and  so  valuable  in  the  world’s  markets  are  its  two  staple 
productions,  sugar  and  tobacco. 

To  indicate  more  definitely  the  extent  of  Cuban  com- 
merce, the  reports  for  1893,  which  was  a good  year,  are 
given  below,  presenting,  among  the  principal  exports  from 
Cuba  to  the  United  States,  the  following: 

267 


268 


Industrial  Cuba 


Fruits  and  nuts  *2  , ,,  Ron 

Molasses 1 nRi  nn 

Sugar a-. 

Wood,  unmanufactured 

Tobacco,  manufactured 

Tobacco,  not  manufactured. 

Iron  ore 

Total 

In  the  same  year  the  principal  exports  from  the  United 
States  to  Cuba,  aggregating  $15,448,981,  were  distributed 
as  follows : 


Wheat  flour 

Corn 

Carriages  and  street  cars 

Freight  and  passenger  cars  (steam  railroad) 

Coal 

Builders’  hardware 

Railroad  rails 

Saws  and  tools 

Locomotives 

Stationary  engines 

Boilers  and  engine  parts 

Wire 

Manufactures  of  leather 

Mineral  oil 

Hog  products 

Beans  and  peas 

Potatoes 

Planks,  joists,  etc 

Household  furniture 

Total $15,448,981 

These  tables  show  the  extent  of  Cuban  commerce  with 
but  one  country,  the  United  States;  and  though,  naturally 
and  logically,  that  is  the  country  with  which  Cuba  must 
always  do  the  vast  bulk  of  her  business,  the  other  countries 
of  the  world  have  not  been  shut  out ; the  average  annual 
amount  of  exports  from  the  Island  to  foreign  countries 
other  than  the  United  States  fell  between  $13,0)00,000  and 
$15,000,000,  and  the  imports  were  upward  of  $40,00x3,000, 


$2,821,557 

582,050 

316,045 

271,571 

931,371 

395.964 

326,654 

243,544 

418,776 

130,652 

322,284 

321,120 

I9I,394 

514,808 

5,401,022 

392,962 

554,153 

1,095,928 

217,126 


Commerce  269 

the  most  of  which,  of  course,  was  compulsory  commerce 
with  Spain. 

A casual  inspection  of  the  above  table  of  imports  to  Cuba, 
covering  only  a portion  of  the  articles  taken  from  us  by  the 
Cubans,  shows  at  once  what  the  demands  of  the  Island  are 
for  even  the  simplest  necessities  beyond  bare  existence. 
The  million  and  a half  people  of  the  Island  want  our  flour, 
our  lard  and  pork,  our  oil,  our  barbed  wire — our  soldiers 
found  samples  of  it  strung  around  San  Juan  hill, — our  man- 
ufactures of  leather,  our  household  furniture  of  all  kinds, 
our  locomotives  and  cars  and  steel  rails,  our  saws  and 
mechanics’  tools,  our  stationary  engines  and  boilers,  our 
lumber  in  its  various  shapes  for  framing  and  building,  our 
locks  and  hinges  and  nails,  our  corn  and  beans  and  potatoes; 
our  coal,  our  street  cars  and  carriages,  and  any  and  every 
kind  of  the  manifold  things  we  produce  in  this  country  for 
the  comfort  and  convenience  and  economy  of  mankind.  In 
part  exchange  for  these  things,  we  get  from  Cuba  sugar  and 
tobacco,  and  control  the  markets  of  the  world  in  these  pro- 
ducts; mahogany  and  all  manner  of  beautiful  hard  woods; 
bananas  and  cocoanuts  and  fruits,  pleasing  to  the  palate  and 
wholesome  to  the  health;  honey  from  the  flowers;  glycer- 
ine, no  less  sweet,  from  the  fats  of  cattle;  manganese  and 
molasses ; cigars  and  coffee ; beeswax  and  birds,  and  the 
vast  fields  of  tropical  wealth  and  luxuries  for  the  millions 
of  our  colder  clime  scarcely  yet  touched. 

The  golden  dream  of  Columbus  and  his  followers,  when 
they  beheld  for  the  first  time  the  purple  peaks  of  the  strange 
land  rising  out  of  the  sea  before  them,  are  as  poverty  and 
nightmare  in  comparison  with  what  is  actual  and  real,  for 
the  more  material  age  of  the  twentieth  century. 

The  greatest  obstacle  in  the  way  of  Cuban  commerce,  and 
the  peculiar  disadvantage  under  which  the  Island  laboured 
was  in  a large  measure  attributable  to  the  fact  that  Spain 
compelled  Cuba  to  purchase  merchandise  in  Spain  which 
could  have  been  bought  in  other  markets  at  prices  far  below 
the  figures  which  Cuba  was  forced  by  these  discriminating 


Industrial  Cuba 


270 

duties  to  pay  to  Spanish  merchants  and  manufacturers. 
The  most  glaring  illustration  of  this  may  be  seen  by  refer- 
ence to  the  following  table  of  Spanish  imports  into  Cuba 
in  1896,  which  the  author  has  prepared  from  the  report  of 
the  Bureau  of  Statistics  in  relation  to  Spanish  trade  with 
Cuba  and  the  West  Indies: 


Articles. 

Marble,  and  manufactures  of 

Mineral  waters  

Glass  bottles,  etc 

Bricks,  tilings,  mosaics,  etc 

Earthenware 

Lime  and  cement 

Silverware  and  jewelry 

Iron  bars,  etc 

Fire-arms 

Copper,  and  manufactures  of 

Lead,  manufactured 

Zinc 

Other  metals 

Oils  and  paints 

Salt 

Chemicals,  medicines,  etc 

Soap 

Wax  and  stearin 

Perfumery,  etc 

Cotton  thread 

Other  manufactures  

Flax,  hemp,  etc.,  and  manufactures  of. 

Woollen  blankets 

Other  woollen  manufactures 

Silk  goods 

Paper  in  rolls 

Writing  paper 

Smoking  paper 

Packing  paper 

Books,  music,  etc 

Other  paper 

Wood,  manufactures  of 

Leather 

Shoes  of  leather 

Saddlery 


Valub. 


29,031 

66,889 

28,371 

77,853 

5,036 

6,800 

176,719 

1,872,240 

15,772 

15,344 

6,373 

52,654 

”7,542 

51,030 

35,365 

635,369 

419,124 

12,722 

67,451 

3,676,807 

740,017 

219,971 

73,007 

74,206 

82,457 

88,219 

377.046 

284.047 
39,655 

107,917 

45L568 

110,955 

3,449.952 

102,122 


Carried  forward 


13,569,631 


Commerce 


271 


Articles.  Value. 

Brought  forward 13,569,631 

Machinery  and  musical  instruments 

Hams  and  meats,  salted,  etc 75,679 

Butter 171,918 

Rice 298,970 

Corn 286,563 

Wheat  flour 4,065,376 

Beans 375.604 

Other  dried  vegetables 128,254 

Onions,  garlic,  and  potatoes 241,023 

Almonds 80,298 

Olives 121,765 

Raisins 44.982 

Saffron 234,252 

Pepper,  ground  and  unground 61,582 

Oil,  common 663,244 

Wine,  common 1,469,409 

“ other 18,752 

Preserved  food. 948,472 

Pressed  meat 316,314 

Soup  pastes  (vermicelli,  etc.) 287,200 

Sandals 2,686,702 

Playing  cards 34.345 

Felt  hats 28,079 

Cartridges 69,719 

All  other  articles 614,196 

Total $26,892,329 

Gold 

Silver $24,288,640 


The  most  casual  observer  and  the  person  of  the  most 
superficial  knowledge  in  trade  matters  must  be  well  aware 
that  Spain  is  by  no  means  as  good  a market  in  which  to 
purchase  such  commodities  as  are  noted  above  as  is  the 
United  States,  or  as  is  any  other  country,  for  that  matter; 
yet  Cuba,  by  reason  of  iniquitous  discriminating  duties, 
was  forced  to  buy  these  commodities  of  the  mother  country, 
and  to  pay  a higher  price  for  them  than  that  at  which  they 
could  have  been  bought  elsewhere.  And  not  only  was  the 
price  exorbitant,  but  the  articles  were  of  inferior  quality, 
and,  especially  in  the  line  of  all  machinery  and  the  appli- 


272 


Industrial  Cuba 


ances  of  modern  industrial  progress,  the  types  were  primi- 
tive and  the  models  were  as  old  and  ineffective  as  the 
workmanship  and  material  were  poor.  Xo  any  Government 
seeking  the  best  interests  of  the  governed,  these  discrepancies 
would  have  suggested  themselves;  and  in  the  logic  of  loca- 
tion and  the  invincible  combination  of  first-class  goods,  low 
prices,  cheap  freights,  and  quick  delivery,  the  trade  of  Cuba 
would  have  been  turned  to  the  U nited  States.  The  Spanish 
Government  would  have  been  the  gainer  by  the  greatly  in- 
creased prosperity,  progress,  and  wealth  of  her  Island  de- 
pendency. But  Spain  pursued  a different  policy,  and  by 
the  overwhelming  force  of  natural  laws,  regulating  the  rela- 
tion of  the  governing  to  the  governed,  she  has  lost  not  only 
the  trade  of  Cuba,  but  also  the  Island  itself,  and  by  trade 
laws  not  less  immutable  than  those  of  civil  government,  the 
compulsory  commerce  she  exacted  from  Cuba  goes  freely, 
naturally,  and  logically,  to  the  United  States.  It  is  scarcely 
necessary  to  say  what  the  Great  Republic  will  do  in  the 
premises.  The  youngest  of  nations,  it  stands  to-day  to 
the  fore  with  the  oldest  and  the  greatest  of  the  powers  of 
the  earth  in  every  field  of  human  intelligence,  industry,  and 
endeavour,  and  it  will  scarcely  leave  the  great  work  it  has 
undertaken  in  Cuba  to  others  for  that  final  accomplishment 
which  it  is  best  qualified  to  carry  to  perfect  completion. 
Cuba  looks  to  the  United  States  for  encouragement,  for 
strength,  for  education,  for  development,  for  business — for 
union,  shall  we  say  ? — and,  as  her  nearest  neighbour,  the 
United  States  will  pledge  itself  that  the  Queen  of  the  An- 
tilles shall  not  look  in  vain. 

In  strong  and  hopeful  contrast  with  this  compulsory  com- 
merce is  the  amended  American  tariff  of  Cuba,  which  makes 
no  discrimination  whatever  against  the  Cuban  purchaser; 
and  now  and  hereafter,  so  long  as  the  United  States  Gov- 
ernment controls  the  affairs  of  Cuba,  the  Cuban  producer 
may  sell  his  sugar,  tobacco,  fruit,  iron  ore,  hard  woods,  and 
all  that  he  produces  to  whomsoever  he  will;  and  he  may 
buy  what  he  wants  from  whomsoever  he  thinks  sells  cheap- 


A SUGAR-CANE  TRAIN. 


Commerce 


273 


est  and  best.  He  is  in  no  way  bound  to  the  United  States 
and  its  markets,  but  is  perfectly  free  to  buy  his  goods  in 
England,  or  France,  or  Germany,  or  Kamschatka,  or  even 
in  Spain  herself,  if  he  can  there  find  the  best  return  for  his 
money.  We  of  the  United  States  shall  not  so  much  as  ex- 
pect that  the  Cuban  may,  from  a sense  of  gratitude  to  us 
for  services  we  have  rendered,  give  his  trade  to  us;  but  we 
shall  teach  him,  by  the  invincible  example  of  the  very  best 
goods  at  the  very  lowest  prices,  that  the  markets  of  the 
United  States  present  to  the  buyer  attractions  possessed  by 
no  other  markets  of  the  world,  and  he  will  learn  early  that 
having  been  his  benefactor  in  war,  we  are  not  less  so  in 
peace;  and  as  we  have  made  him  free,  we  have  no  fear  that 
he  will  use  that  freedom  to  his  own  disadvantage. 

Under  the  reciprocity  of  the  McKinley  Tariff  law,  Cuba 
and  the  United  States  were  brought  more  closely  together 
in  commercial  union  than  ever  before  in  their  history.  No 
more  competent  testimony  on  this  point  can  be  adduced 
than  the  following  extract  from  the  report  for  1892  of  the 
British  Consul-General  at  Havana: 

“ It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  article  ” [on  the  lack  of  re- 
liable statistics]  “ that  the  difficulty — especially  to  a new-comer — 
of  forming  anything  like  a clear  and  accurate  view  of  the  com- 
mercial movement  of  the  district  is  next  door  to  impossible.  But, 
unfortunately,  there  is  one  feature  of  a very  unsatisfactory  nature 
which  stands  out  prominently  and  did  not  take  long  to  discover, 
namely,  that  British  trade  with  Cuba  has  almost  become  a thing 
of  the  past;  and  under  the  recent  reciprocity  treaty  the  United 
States  of  America  practically  supplies  all  the  wants  of  the  Island 
and  receives  all  its  produce. 

“ Machinery,  which  formerly  was  largely  supplied  by  England, 
Germany,  France,  and  Belgium,  now  nearly  all  comes  from  the 
United  States;  and  the  machinery  required  for  the  vast  amount 
of  sugar  manufactured  in  Cuba  is  immense  and  of  great 
value  . . . 

“ The  reciprocity  treaty  between  Spain  and  the  United  States 
would  appear  to  be  mainly  beneficial  to  the  latter  nation. 


Industrial  Cuba 


274 

Articles  such  as  machinery,  iron,  steel,  coal,  etc.,  which  formerly 
came  principally  from  Europe  and  continue  to  pay  duty  when 
imported  from  those  countries,  are  admitted  free  of  duty  when 
coming  from  America,  so  that  the  former  trade  is  fast  disappear- 
ing,  although  some  articles  of  English  manufacture  and  of 
superior  quality  are  still  able  to  compete,  notwithstanding  the 
duty.  I he  free  admission  of  flour  makes  bread  cheaper,  but  this 
is  the  only  article  which  seems  reduced  in  price.  The  free  ad- 
mission of  Cuban  sugar  into  the  large  markets  of  the  United 
States  is,  of  course,  the  great  inducement  for  Spain  to  enter  into 
an  arrangement  by  which  she  sacrificed  a considerable  portion  I a 
of  her  customs  revenue. 

“ The  effect  of  the  recent  reciprocity  treaty  between  the  United 
States  and  Spain  in  regard  to  her  West  Indian  colonies  has  been 
to  throw  nearly  the  entire  Cuban  trade  into  the  hands  of  the  I Ai 
United  States  traders,  with  whom  importers  of  goods  from  less  Itli 
favoured  nations  cannot  compete,  having  to  pay,  by  the  terms  of  1 
such  a treaty,  higher  import  duties.” 

I ' 11 

As  a further  indication  of  the  benefit  of  reciprocity  be- 
tween Cuba  and  the  United  States,  and  as  a working  sug- 
gestion of  the  commercial  possibilities  presented  to  the 
business  interests  of  this  country,  the  following  extract 
from  an  article  on  the  ‘‘  Commercial  Relations  between 
Cuba  and  the  United  States,”  by  Mr.  E.  Sherman  Gould,  |l» 
in  the  Engineering  Magazine  for  July,  1894,  is  given: 

“ The  value  of  the  sugar  exported  to  the  United  States  has  no 
doubt  frequently  reached,  if  not  surpassed,  the  sum  of  $60,000,-  ; 

000  in  a single  year.  At  any  rate,  it  will  surely  be  safe  to  estimate  ] ;- 
the  total  yearly  value  of  all  exports  from  Cuba  to  this  country  at  I e 
that  figure.  This  large  sum  must  be  paid  back  to  Cuba  either  in 
money  or  in  exchange  of  commodities.  In  regard  to  this  alterna-  1 a 
tive  we  must  recall  the  fact  that  Cuba  has  no  manufactures  of  any 
account  except  cigars;  that  all  the  implements  and  machinery 
used  in  sugar-making  and  all  the  textile  fabrics  used  for  clothing,  I ■, 
and  even  many  articles  of  food,  such  as  breadstuffs,  butter,  salt  I a 
meats,  and  ‘ canned  goods  ’ must  come  from  abroad.  That  is  to 
say,  $60,000,000  worth  of  exports  are  sent  by  a country  without 


Commerce 


275 


manufactures  to  the  greatest  manufacturing  country  in  the  world, 
and  one  in  which  the  danger  of  1 over-production  ’ is  supposed  to 
be  a standing  menace.  Under  these  circumstances  the  mere 
statement  of  the  question,  ‘ How  should  these  imports  be  paid 
for  ? ’ carries  its  answer  with  it. 

“ In  this  connection  the  following  table,  compiled  from  the 
records  of  the  United  States  Treasury  at  Washington,  and  show- 
ing the  total  value  of  exports  from  the  United  States  to  Cuba  for 
two  different  years  will  be  of  great  interest,  especially  as  it  gives 
an  idea  of  the  varied  character  of  American  products  which 
already  find  a market  in  the  latter  country. 

“ This  table  shows  that  the  balance  of  trade  is  largely  against 
us,  assuming  our  imports  from  Cuba  to  reach  $60,000,000.  There 
is  evidently  room  in  the  Island  for  at  least  thirty  millions  more  of 
American  goods.  The  table  shows  also  that  about  one-half  of 
the  value  of  our  exports  in  1893  consisted  of  breadstuffs,  pro- 
visions, etc.,  while  wood  and  woodwork  amounted  to  about  one- 
eighth,  and  coal,  iron,  hardware,  and  machinery  entered  the  list 
for  about  a quarter  of  the  total  amount. 


VALUE  OF  EXPORTS  FROM  THE  UNITED  STATES  TO  CUBA 
IN  1889  AND  1893 


Description. 

Agricultural  implements 

Animals 

Books 

Brass  manufactures 

Breadstuffs 

Bricks 

Builders’  hardware 

Carriages 

Car- wheels 

Chemicals 

Clocks  and  watches 

Coal 

Copper  manufactures 

Cotton  manufactures 

Cutlery 

Fire-arms 

Flax,  hemp,  and  jute 

Fruit 


In  1889. 

$ 74U35 

14,264 
46,617 
32,420 
1,336,147 
4,922 
80,285 
67,282 
1,908 
223,784 
17,399 
581,094. 
13,692 
126,180 
io,347 
3,030 
301,290 
30,971 

$2,965,767 


In  1893. 

$ 130,341 

39,401 
39,075 
44,150 
3,511,617 
95,489 
395,464 
316,045 
18,073 
386,562 
26,551 
93L57I 
48,656 
148,178 
21,094 
3,055 
86,478 
126,954 

$6,368,754 


Carried  forward. 


2 ;6 


Industrial  Cuba 


Description.  In  1889. 

Brought  forward $2,965,767 

Glass 55,178 

India-rubber  goods 27,804 

Iron  manufactures,  not  otherwise  specified....  241,122 

Lamp  goods 28,326 

Leather  manufactures 166,334 

Lime  and  cement 16,500 

Machinery 965,242 

Marble  and  stone 14,243 

Nails  and  spikes 58,112 

Oils 430,203 

Paper 198,461 

Provisions 3,267,883 

Railway  bars 20,240 

Railway  cars 127,533 

Saws  and  tools 115,232 

Scales  and  balances 35,406 

Sewing-machines 42,571 

Steam-engines 10,493 

Sugar  and  candy 19,941 

Tobacco,  manufactured 59.658 

Vegetables 380,802 

Wire 118,214 

Wood,  and  manufactures  of 1,110,946 

All  other 820,987 


In  1893. 

$6,638,754 

117.870 

42,879 

1,343.551 

5L389 

181,476 

"1,570 

2,792,050 

77,003 

127,583 
548,092 
159,895 
5,611,076  | 
327,4H 
27L57I 
243.544 
62,561 
95,630 
130,652 
35,911 
61,494 
978,261 
321,120 
2,881,095 
701,656 


Total 


$11,297,198  $23,604,094 


“ The  Western  Railway  of  Havana,  now  in  English  hands,  and 
recently  extended  from  Havana  to  Pinar  del  Rio,  in  the  heart  of 
the  finest  tobacco  region  of  the  Island,  has  called  largely  upon 
the  United  States  for  its  new  work.  Many  hundred  feet  of  iron 
bridging  were  furnished  and  erected  by  the  Union  Bridge  Com- 
pany of  New  York,  the  railway  company  being  satisfied  with  the 
price,  and  their  engineer,  as  well  as  the  government  inspectors, 
satisfied  with  the  work.  The  cement  used  was  also  wholly  or 
largely  American,  the  American  being  adopted  rather  than  the 
English,  somewhat  reluctantly,  by  their  engineer,  on  account  of 
the  greatly  reduced  cost.  The  stone  used  for  bridge-seats  was 
American  granite,  and  highly  praised  to  me  by  the  engineer,  who, 
being  a Scotchman,  was  naturally  a good  judge  of  the  material. 
The  fact  merits  attention,  in  estimating  the  value  of  the  Cuban 
market,  that  the  people  are  heavy  buyers.  There  is  very  little 


SUGAR-CANE  SCALES. 


Commerce 


2 77 


saving  practised.  I do  not  think  there  is  a single  savings  bank 
on  the  Island.  ...  As  a rule,  all  the  money  received  is 
freely  spent,  particularly  by  the  poorer  and  middle  classes,  who, 
of  course,  form  the  bulk  of  the  population.  Probably  the  per- 
nicious system  of  government  lotteries  has  something  to  do  with 
the  absence  of  saving,  as  the  practice  of  purchasing  tickets  is  as 
widespread  among  the  poor  as  it  is  destructive  and  demoralising. 
Probably,  too,  the  character  of  the  climate  and  the  consequent 
ease  of  living  prevent  people  from  devoting  much  forethought  to 
a future  that  they  do  not  dread,  for  there  is  really  very  little  of 
that  pinching  want  ever  felt  in  Cuba  which  recent  hard  times 
have  brought  to  notice  in  our  own  country.  Be  the  cause  what 
it  may,  the  fact  remains  that  all  the  Cubans  are  prodigal  in  their 
expenditures,  which  goes  far  to  account  for  the  immense  quanti- 
ties of  goods  consumed  and  paid  for  by  a comparatively  small 
population. 

“ Enough  has  been  said,  I think,  to  show  that  Cuba  offers  a 
most  inviting  field  for  American  enterprise.  Her  prosperity  and 
even  her  very  existence  may  be  said  to  depend  upon  her  com- 
mercial relations  with  the  United  States;  the  two  are  bound 
together  by  the  strong  ties  of  mutual  interest,  and  everything 
points  to  the  fact  that,  commercially,  Cuba  should  be  ours.  . . . 

“ I believe  that  if  the  trade,  not  only  of  Cuba,  but  also  of  the 
South  American  countries,  were  first  poured  into  the  United 
States  as  a receiving  reservoir,  it  would  be  naturally  distributed, 
directly  or  indirectly,  over  the  world  to  better  advantage  than  if 
distant  and  various  nations  were  carrying  on  desultory  and  inde- 
pendent business  relations  with  them.  The  purchasing  power 
that  would  be  gathered  into  and  concentrated  in  the  United 
States  by  such  trade  would  be  largely  expended  in  procuring 
those  requirements  of  an  ever-advancing  refinement  and  civilisa- 
tion which  Europe  can,  at  present  at  least,  furnish  better  than 
we  can  ourselves.  We  appreciate  and  want  these  things — none 
more  so — and  the  wealth  which  a practical  monopoly  of  the 
South  American  trade  would  give  us  would  make  us  Europe’s 
best  customer  for  those  things  of  which  she  is  the  best  producer. 
But  this  is  a digression. 

“ The  Cuban  market,  like  all  others,  is  governed  largely  by 
fashion.  Hitherto  all  supplies,  except  perhaps  locomotives  and 


Industrial  Cuba 


2/8 

steam-boilers,  which  have  for  a long  time  been  chiefly  furnished 
by  the  United  States,  have  come,  for  the  greater  part,  from 
Europe.  I think  that  both  in  Spain  and  in  South  America, 
French  goods,  as  well  as  French  manners  and  customs  have  the 
preference.  Just  as  there  is  a certain  tendency  in  the  United 
States  to  admire  and  imitate  that  which  is.  derived  from  English 
sources,  so  everything  French  is  apt  to  ' go  ’ in  these  countries. 

It  naturally  takes  time  to  overcome  such  preoccupations,  particu- 
larly as  in  many  cases  they  are  well  founded.  I have  taken  oc- 
casion elsewhere  to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  American  houses 
shipping  goods  to  Cuba  put  themselves  under  quite  unnecessary 
disadvantage  by  careless  packing.  In  the  case  of  many  fancy 
articles  the  mere  appearance  of  the  package  goes  a great  way, 
and  in  the  case  of  all  goods  careless  packing  entails  great  loss 
from  breakage.  This  loss  is  a twofold  one  for  the  American 
dealer.  Not  only  does  he  have  to  make  good  the  damage  at  his 
own  cost,  but  he  creates  a prejudice  against  his  goods  and  his 
ways  of  doing  business.  This  brings  up  another  important  point. 

It  is  a great  mistake  to  suppose  that  ‘ anything  is  good  enough 
for  Cuba.’  On  the  contrary,  the  people  there  not  only  want  the 
best,  but  they  also  know  it  when  they  see  it,  and,  once  deceived, 
they  never  have  any  further  transactions  with  the  deceiver.  The 
market  is  perhaps  a capricious  one,  but  it  is  one  that  fully  recog- 
nises and  appreciates  fair  dealing,  and  there  is  no  better  or  more 
paying  advertisement  than  to  enter  it  ‘ on  the  square.’ 

“ The  market  being  such  as  it  is,  and,  moreover,  being  for 
many  classes  of  goods  a new  one,  the  agents  employed  in  it  61 
should  be  carefully  selected.  Here,  again,  Americans  are  at  a 
disadvantage.  Very  few  of  the  commercial  travellers  who  are 
sent  out  from  the  United  States  speak  Spanish,  whereas  nearly  all 
those  representing  foreign  concerns  do.  The  Americans  are 
therefore  obliged  to  put  themselves  entirely  into  the  hands  of 
agents  and  interpreters,  which  is  always  an  unsatisfactory  way  of 
doing  business.  In  view  of  the  growing  relations  between  the 
United  States  and  the  South  American  countries,  it  would 
seem  as  if  Spanish  should  occupy  a preferential  place,  in  our 
educational  institutions,  over  French  or  German.  Our  business 
is  to  invade  the  Spanish-speaking  territories,  whereas  we  are 
ourselves  invaded  by  the  European  nations,  and  this  fact  neces-  r K 


Commerce 


279 

sitates  a more  perfect  equipment  on  the  part  of  our  business 
agents  entering  the  foreign  field. 

“ As  regards  the  classes  of  goods  most  needed  in  Cuba  it  would 
be  impossible  and  wholly  unnecessary  to  particularise  more  fully 
in  this  paper.  We  may  broadly  say  that  everything  needed  in 
this  country  is  needed  in  Cuba,  within  the  limits  imposed  by  the 
difference  of  climate.  They  want  or  can  be  led  to  want  every- 
thing we  can  furnish  that  is  good  and  cheap. 

“ I may  perhaps  be  here  permitted  another  digression.  We 
have  heard  a great  deal  in  times  past,  and  more  particularly  of 
late,  of  ‘ overproduction,’  and  it  is  supposed  to  account  for 
many  of  our  business  troubles.  Now  overproduction  is  a strictly 
relative  condition,  and  its  remedy  is  either  to  produce  less  or  to 
dispose  of  more.  Political  economists  tell  us  that  true  material 
progress  lies  in  commonising  the  good  things  of  life,  so  that  what 
to-day  are  the  luxuries  of  the  rich  shall  become  to-morrow  the 
ordinary  possessions  of  the  middle  classes,  who  will,  in  their  turn, 
relegate  their  previous  simple  comforts  to  the  poor,  thus  establish- 
ing an  ever-ascending  scale  of  prosperity,  and  raising,  as  it  were, 
the  standard  of  poverty.  It  is  impossible,  I think,  to  deny  the 
truth  of  this  proposition,  which  dictates  a levelling  up , instead  of 
the  socialistic  plan  of  levelling  down.  In  this  view  it  is  plainly  to 
be  seen  that  we  are  not,  and  cannot  be,  in  any  danger  from  over- 
production. What  we  and  all  the  world  are  suffering  from  is 
underdistribution.  The  remedy,  as  far  as  the  United  States  are 
concerned,  is  not  to  limit  production,  but  rather  to  increase  it 
even  to  its  utmost  possibilities  and  then  launch  out  in  quest  of 
new  markets.  It  is  this  policy  which  has  given  England  her  vast 
commercial  supremacy  in  the  past.  She  has  never  attempted  to 
restrict  the  production  of  her  manufactures,  but  her  efforts  have 
always  been  to  open  up  new  markets,  until  she  has  forced  her 
way  to  the  remotest  regions  of  the  earth.  It  is  said  that  the  sun 
never  sets  on  the  British  flag;  it  certainly  never  sets  on  British 
manufactures. 

“ In  carrying  out  such  a policy  for  the  United  States  it  is  evid- 
ent that  the  Spanish-American  countries  offer  themselves  to  us 
as  our  natural  field  for  enterprise.  As  already  pointed  out,  our 
labours  in  this  field  would  be  of  mutual  advantage  to  them  and  to 
us,  and  in  more  ways  than  one.  While  receiving  from  us  our 


2 SO 


Industrial  Cuba 


labour-saving  machinery  and  wonderful  mechanical  appliances  of 
all  kinds,  they  would  also  imbibe  a portion  of  the  spirit  which  led 
to  their  invention  and  use.  We,  on  our  part,  would  not  only  re- 
ceive from  them  the  rich  products  of  their  fertile  soil,  but  might 
also  catch,  by  contact  with  men  of  another  race,  something  of 
that  natural  grace  and  refinement  in  which  our  national  character 
is  said  to  be  deficient.” 

Referring  to  the  fact  that  the  railways  in  Cuba  under 
English  control  have  had  their  machinery  from  the  United 
States,  the  manager  of  the  English  railways  in  Cuba  only 
so  recently  as  October,  1898,  informed  the  author  that  they 
had  not  only  purchased  of  the  United  States  in  the  past, 
but  that  they  intended  getting  all  their  railway  supplies  for 
the  future  from  the  same  source.  Surely  no  higher  tribute 
could  be  paid  to  the  manufacturers  of  our  country  than  this 
from  an  Englishman,  whose  people  for  hundreds  of  years 
have  led  all  competitors  in  the  industrial  manufacturing  of 
the  world. 

And  this  is  but  a step  in  the  giant  strides  of  commercial 
progress  the  United  States  will  make  in  Cuba,  under  the 
encouraging  influence  of  a reasonable  tariff,  the  abolition  of 
all  discrimination,  the  assurances  of  a stable  government,  and 
that  proximity  which  makes  Cuba  one  with  us  in  temper, 
in  trade,  and  in  territory. 


CHAPTER  XX 


SUGAR— HISTORY  AND  FUTURE  OUTLOOK 


F Cuba’s  28,000,000  acres,  about  2,000,000  are  de- 


voted to  the  raising  of  her  sugar  crop,  which  in 
amount  is  a little  less  than  half  of  the  entire  cane-sugar  pro- 
duct of  the  world.  Historians  differ  as  to  when  the  culti- 
vation of  sugar  began  in  Cuba,  but  in  1 523  Philip  I. , King  of 
Spain,  allowed  a loan  of  4000  pesetas  to  each  person  who 
would  undertake  to  establish  a sugar  plantation ; and  al- 
though it  appears  that  the  people  of  San  Domingo  began 
cane  farming  about  this  time,  it  is  not  positively  known  that 
the  industry  had  secured  much  of  a hold  in  Cuba  until  sixty 
years  later.  Indeed,  some  writers  assert  that  the  first  cane 
farm  was  established  in  Cuba  in  1595.  In  any  event,  three 
hundred  years — or,  to  be  exact,  two  hundred  and  ninety- 
nine  years — later,  that  is,  in  1894,  the  year  before  the  last 
rebellion,  during  which  the  sugar  industry  was  almost  wiped 
out,  1,054,214  tons  of  sugar  were  produced,  the  greatest 
quantity  ever  raised  in  any  one  year  in  the  Island. 

Although  it  made  so  early  a start  in  the  history  of  Ameri- 
can agriculture,  the  sugar  industry  in  Cuba  languished  for 
two  hundred  years,  the  annual  output  during  that  time 
being  only  about  28,000  tons.  A quarter  of  a century  later 
it  reached  75,000  tons;  the  middle  of  the  nineteenth  cent- 
ury saw  it  at  250,000  tons,  and  in  1894  it  passed  the  million 
mark,  with  an  impetus  that  would  have  sent  it  on  the  first 
quarter  in  the  second  million  by  the  end  of  the  century,  if 
the  wretched  mismanagement  and  criminal  culpability  of 
Spain  had  not  brought  on  the  rebellion. 


282 


Industrial  Cuba 


With  millions  of  acres  of  the  richest  and  best  cane  land 
on  the  globe,  yet  untouched  by  the  plough,  with  a climate 
unsurpassed  for  the  growth  and  development  of  sugar  cane, 
and  with  a prestige  for  Cuban  sugar  second  to  none  in  the 
markets  of  the  world,  the  future  of  Cuba’s  sugar  presents  a 
possibility  of  wealth  surpassing  the  richness  of  the  gold  and 
silver  which  came  to  Columbus  in  the  marvellous  tales  of 
the  interior  of  the  magnificent  Island  which  he  had  dis- 
covered. 

Recurring  to  the  effect  of  the  rebellion  of  1895-1898  on 
the  sugar  industry,  it  is  appalling  to  contemplate  the  dread- 
ful decrease  in  a country’s  chief  source  of  wealth  and  income 
to  the  government,  as  well  as  to  the  individual.  In  1894 
the  output  was  1 ,054,2 14  tons,  and  the  following  year,  under 
the  first  touch  of  war  and  its  alarms,  the  crop  dropped  off 
50,000  tons,  though  it  remained  still  above  the  million. 
This  was  the  second  year  in  Cuban  sugar  history  that  the 
million  mark  was  passed.  In  1896,  the  war  was  raging  all 
over  the  Island,  and  with  the  Spaniards  on  one  side,  taking 
men  and  cattle,  and  the  insurgents  on  the  other,  burning 
cane  and  buildings  and  stealing  stock,  the  sugar  planter  was 
utterly  obliterated  in  some  sections,  and  so  badly  crippled 
in  others  that  the  output  reached  only  225,221  tons  the 
lowest  figure  known  in  fifty  years.  Nor  was  this  astounding 
decrease  a matter  of  gradual  accomplishment,  permitting 
the  country,  the  business,  and  the  people  to  accommodate 
themselves  to  the  changed  conditions,  but  it  happened 
almost  in  a night,  and  an  income  from  sugar  of  $80,000,000 
a year  dwindled  on  the  instant  to  $16,000,000,  a loss  of 

$64,000,000  at  once  as  the  result  of  Spanish  mismanage- 
ment. 

As  a cane-sugar-producing  country,  nature  has  made  Cuba 
superior  to  any  competitor  which  may  appear;  but  all  sugar 
does  not  come  from  cane,  and  since  1840,  when  the  first 
record  of  beet  sugar  appeared,  with  50,000  tons  for  the 
years  output  for  the  world,  as  against  r, 100,000  tons  of 
cane  sugar,  about  200,000  tons  of  which  was  raised  in  Cuba, 


CANE  FIELDS. 


Sugar — History  and  Future  Outlook  283 

the  sugar  growers  of  the  Island  have  had  their  only  danger- 
ous rival.  Beginning  with  the  small  production  of  50,000 
tons  in  1840,  principally  grown  in  France,  the  beet-sugar 
production  increased  rapidly  in  Europe,  reaching  200,000 
tons  in  1850;  400,000  tons  in  i860;  900,000  tons  in  1870; 
1,860,000  tons  in  1880;  and  in  1894  going  to  3,841,000  tons. 
Cane  sugar  in  the  meantime  only  increased  from  1,100,000 
to  2,960,000  metric  tons.  Cuba  in  1895  produced  only  100,- 
000  tons  less  than  the  world’s  entire  output  of  all  kinds  of 
sugar  in  1840.  The  total  output  of  beet  and  cane  sugars  in 
1893-1894  was  6,801,000  metric  tons.  The  United  States 
in  1894  produced  272,838  tons  of  cane  sugar,  20,219  tons  of 
beet  sugar,  394  tons  of  sorghum  sugar,  and  3408  tons  of 
maple  sugar. 

With  the  growth  of  sugar  production  in  Cuba  have 
come  newer  and  better  methods;  and  whereas  in  1825  the 
largest  plantations  rarely  exceeded  1500  acres  in  extent, 
producing  only  350  tons  per  year,  with  a total  value  of  land, 
buildings,  machinery,  stock,  and  slaves,  of,  say,  $500,000, 
with  aggregate  revenue  of,  say,  $60,000,  and  expenses  of 
$30,000,  leaving  a profit  of  $30,000, — in  these  later  times 
there  are  plantations  of  25,000  acres,  representing  an  invest- 
ment of  $2,000,000  with  an  annual  revenue  of  $1,000,000, 
expenses,  say,  of  $800,000,  leaving  a profit  of  $200,000  per 
year.  Contrasting  the  earlier  figures  with  these  later  esti- 
mates, a profit  of  ten  per  cent,  is  shown  in  1894  as  against 
six  per  cent,  in  1825. 

In  1840,  it  is  estimated  there  were  1710  sugar  plantations 
in  Cuba;  while  in  1894  there  were  1100.  Sugar  farms  are 
upland  soils,  the  cane  requires  to  be  planted  only  once  in 
seven  years,  and  no  fertilizers  are  required.  Many  of  the 
planters  in  later  years  are  very  enterprising,  and  the  machin- 
ery they  use  is  the  best  in  the  world.  The  outfitting  of 
one  central,  or  grinding  plant,  with  a capacity  of  1000  tons 
a day,  costs  $500,000.  Houses  and  stores  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  employes  are  provided ; there  are  locomo- 
tives and  cars  for  the  miles  of  railway  for  bringing  the  cane 


284 


Industrial  Cuba 


to  the  mill  from  all  parts  of  the  plantations ; as  many  as  2000 
labourers  are  employed;  1000  cattle  for  work  and  beef  are 
to  be  found  on  this  place;  and  the  colonia  is  conducted  upon 
the  most  economic,  advantageous,  and  improved  lines.  This 
is  a model  colonia  ; but  all  Cuban  colonias  are  not  models. 

To  give  the  reader  a somewhat  more  definite  idea  of  a 
sugar  farm,  a statement  by  Mr.  P.  M.  Beal,  of  Beal  & Co., 
lessees  of  the  Colonia  Guabairo,  owned  by  Messrs.  E.  At- 
kins & Co.,  of  Boston,  possibly  the  largest  American  pro- 
prietors in  Cuba,  is  herewith  appended.  Mr.  Beal  says: 

“In  1889,  when  preparations  for  cane  farming  were  com- 
menced, the  Guabairo  was  mostly  impenetrable  forest,  and  not  a 
building  of  any  kind  existed;  the  working  people  slept  under  a 
cart  until  temporary  palm-leaf  huts  could  be  constructed  to 
shelter  them.  At  this  time  the  Guabairo  proper  contained  1333 
acres;  later  some  noo  acres  were  hired  or  bought,  and  the 
colonia  increased  in  area  to  about  2433  acres,  of  which  in  1895, 
at  the  breaking  out  of  the  insurrection,  1100  acres  were  planted 
with  cane  and  the  rest  was  pasture,  woods,  and  waste  lands.  In 
i895,  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  insurrection,  the  noo  acres  under 
cane  cultivation  produced  about  2,500,000  arrobas  (an  arroba  is 
twenty-five  pounds),  and  aside  from  this,  a sufficient  quantity  of 
corn  and  vegetables  were  grown  for  all  the  requirements  of  the 
colonia,  so  we  never  had  to  purchase.  From  the  1st  of  December 
to  the  1st  of  June,  an  average  of  about  350  people  were  employed ; 
of  these  ten  per  cent,  were  Canary  Islanders  or  Spaniards,  ten 
per  cent,  negro  women  and  boys  (white  women  do  no  field  work) ; 
twenty  per  cent,  native  whites,  and  about  sixty  per  cent,  negroes 
and  mulattoes.  From  the  1st  of  June  to  the  1st  of  December, 
an  average  of  about  150  were  employed.  Women  do  no  field 
work  during  this  period. 

lor  agricultural  purposes  this  colonia  keeps  nearly  300  oxen 
and  about  20  horses  and  mules;  also  a few  cows  for  milk,  and  a 
number  of  animals  for  beef,  which  in  normal  times  varies  from  30 
to  something  over  100.  In  normal  limes  this  colonia  slaughters 
on  an  average,  about  22  animals  per  month,  with  an  average 
dressed  weight  of  about  200  kilos  (450  pounds)  per  head.  The 
cost  for  preparing,  breaking  up,  cross-ploughing,  marking,  furrow- 


Sugar — History  and  Future  Outlook  285 

ing,  seed  cane,  planting,  cultivating,  wear  and  tear  to  implements, 
and  weeding  one  caballeria  (33^  acres)  of  cane  to  maturity,  and 
do  it  well,  is  from  $1400  to  $1600,  according  to  conditions  of  soil, 
wages,  etc.,  and  under  normal  conditions  will  here  require  from 
three  to  four  years  before  the  farmer  can  see  any  profits,  and 
then  only  by  intelligent  management  and  good  soil.  Soil  which 
requires  planting  every  three  to  five  years  will  ruin  any  man. 
The  average  yield  of  cane  per  caballeria  in  Guabairo  for  1895 
was  about  71,500  arrobas,  and  the  cost  per  100  arrobas  for  weed- 
ing, cutting,  carting,  and  delivering  to  the  central  amounted  to 
about  $1.84.” 

The  concluding  passage  of  Mr.  Beal’s  statement  indicates 
to  some  extent  the  effect  of  the  war  upon  his  plantation, 
which  escaped  happily  as  compared  with  hundreds  of  others. 
He  says: 

“ In  1896  we  had  some  new  plantings,  and  the  crop  was  esti- 
mated at  2,700,000  arrobas  ; very  nearly  the  whole  of  this  was 
burned  by  the  insurgents,  some  of  the  fields  were  burned  twice 
and  no  crop  was  made.  The  horses  were  seized,  cattle  driven 
off,  storehouses  plundered  repeatedly,  and  finally  the  manager 
had  to  flee  for  his  life  and  seek  safety  in  Cienfuegos;  since  then 
the  fields  have  suffered  repeated  burnings  and  the  crop  has  been 
reduced  from  2,700,000  arrobas  to  1,400,000  arrobas , estimated. 
In  1897  and  1898  the  crops  were  made  under  difficulties,  the 
colonia  employing  a private  armed  force  of  sixteen  men,  and 
Colonel  Luis  Ramos  Izquierdo  kept  a small  garrison  of  his  guer- 
rillas in  the  colonia." 

Contrasting  opinions  as  to  the  matter  of  profit  in  the 
production  of  sugar  in  Cuba,  we  present  herewith  two  state- 
ments. The  first  is  by  Mr.  William  J.  Clark,  in  his  work, 
Commercial  Cuba , and  is  as  follows : 

“ We  have  already  seen  that  Mr.  Gollan,  the  British  Consul- 
General  at  Havana,  estimates  the  factory  cost  of  sugar  in  Cuba 
at  the  best  managed  centrals  to  be  2.50  cents  per  pound,  although 
in  exceptional  cases  it  may  be  less.  But  during  the  month  of 


286 


Industrial  Cuba 


October,  1898,  the  selling  price  of  raw  centrifugal  sugar,  96  de- 
grees test,  in  the  New  York  market  has  ranged  between  2.40  and 
2.60  cents  per  pound,  neglecting  United  States  import  duty, 
which  is  a fixed  rate  of  1.685  cents  per  pound.  If  we  take  this 
selling  price  at  2.50  cents  per  pound,  and  deduct  .22  cents  per 
pound  freight,  wharfage,  and  commission,  we  get  2.28  cents  as 
the  price  paid  for  raw  sugar  free  on  board  at  Cuban  ports.  From 
this  amount  must  be  taken  export  charges  of  five  cents  per  100 
kilos  lighterage  at  the  port  of  shipment,  and  the  cost  of  transporta- 
tion from  the  central  to  the  seaboard.  These  together  sum  up  not 
less  than  .10  of  one  cent,  which  would  leave  the  net  price  at  the 
central  2.18  cents.  But  we  have  already  shown  that  the  fac- 
tory cost  of  the  product  has  been  as  low  as  1.99  in  Trinidad,  1.94 
in  British  Guiana,  and  1.86  in  Barbadoes.  These  three  costs  give 
an  average  of  1.93  cents.  Deducting  from  2.18  cents  which  we 
have  calculated  as  the  present  selling  price  at  the  central,  1.93 
cents,  the  present  possible  minimum  cost  of  production,  we 
shall  get  .25  cents,  equal  to  12.95  Per  cent,  as  the  margin  of 
profit.”  6 

Mr.  Clark  takes  New  York  prices  in  October,  1898. 
These  prices  were  not  under  normal  conditions,  the  current 
prices  of  the  year  being  2f  to  2\  cents  for  96  centrifugals  in 
bond.  Mr.  Clark  gives  cost  of  Muscovado  sugars  at  the 
British  islands  of  Trinidad  and  Barbadoes.  These  sugars 
test  89,  and  are  worth  seven  cents  less  per  pound  in  New 
York  than  96  test  centrifugals.  He  compares  cost  and  val- 
ues as  if  they  were  worth  the  same  money.  Properly  com- 
pared, his  profit  changes  into  loss. 

In  this  connection  the  following  figures,  especially  pre- 
pared by  an  expert  for  this  work,  may  be  of  interest: 

THEORETICAL  SUGAR  CONTENTS  OF  100  POUNDS  CANE 

Bagasse  (dry  fibre) . 2 pounds 

Juice 88  “ 

1 ota' IOO 

88  pounds  of  juice  containing  16  per  cent,  in  sugar. . 14  “ 


CUTTING  SUGAR-CANE. 


Sugar — History  and  Future  Outlook  287 

THEORETICAL  PURE  SUGAR  CONTENTS  OF  ioo  POUNDS  CANE 

“ The  practical  results  are  difficult  to  obtain.  The  best  of 
work  seems  to  be  about  as  follows  : 

Per  xoo  pounds  of  cane  : 

Bagasse 30  pounds 

Juice  (extracted) 70  “ 

Total 100  “ 

70  pounds  of  juice  at  16  per  cent,  sugar  equal  in  pure  sugar,  11.20  ” 

“ This  11.20  pounds  of  sugar,  less  loss  of  working  and  less  the 
sugar  left  in  the  final  molasses,  reduced  the  actual  yield  to  about 
10  per  cent,  of  pure  sugar,  or  io£  per  cent,  of  commercial 
product,  besides  the  mechanical  difficulty  of  increased  impurities, 
whose  ratio  increases  rapidly  with  better  milling,  and  the  loss  of 
fuel  in  the  bagasse , which  is  an  important  consideration  where 
such  loss  must  be  made  up  by  imported  coal. 

“ With  30  pounds  of  bagasse  per  100  pounds  of  cane,  no  other 
fuel  should  be  required. 

“ The  difficulty  of  increasing  the  sugar  contents  of  the  cane 
comes  from  the  fact  that  cane,  unlike  beet,  has  no  seed,  and  must 
be  reproduced  from  cuttings. 

“ Improvement  in  this  line  is  quite  possible,  but  must  come 
from  long  years  of  study  and  experiment  and  will  require  the 
best  attention  of  scientific  minds.” 

The  expert  who  furnished  the  above,  adds: 

“ It  will  seem  strange  to  the  uninitiated  that  the  manufacturers 
can  afford  to  leave  any  sugar  in  the  bagasse , if  there  is  any  pos- 
sible method  of  getting  it  out;  but  with  low  prices  for  the  sugar 
product  and  expensive  coal  it  can  be  seen  that  there  is  a point 
beyond  which  it  may  not  be  profitable  to  pass.  With  cheap  fuel 
and  high-priced  sugar  products,  the  case  might  be  different.” 

The  second  statement,  which  is  at  considerably  greater 
length,  is  by  Mr.  E.  F.  Atkins,  who  prepared  the  following 
especially  for  this  volume: 

The  total  output  of  sugar  in  the  world  was  for  some  years 
in  excess  of  the  requirements  for  consumption.  This  over- 


288 


Industrial  Cuba 


production  and  consequent  accumulation  of  stocks  brought 
prices  down  to  a point  which  in  all  probability  was  consider- 
ably below  the  average  cost  of  production. 

Germany,  as  the  largest  sugar-producing  country,  natur- 
ally fixes  the  market  prices  of  the  world.  The  refiner  in 
New  York  will  pay  no  more  for  sugars  to  be  shipped  from 
Havana  than  the  equivalent  of  the  price  at  which  he  can 
buy  at  Hamburg;  difference  of  freight,  duties,  bounties, 
and  quality,  of  course,  considered. 

The  present  average  cost  of  production  of  German  raw 
sugar  is  said  to  be  about  9*.  per  1 12  pounds.  At  this  figure 
the  existing  bounty  upon  exports  would  allow  sales  for 
shipment  to  England,  where  no  duty  is  paid,  as  low  as  Ss. 
= $1.71  per  pound  for  88  analysis  beets;  this,  allowing 
for  difference  in  values  of  the  two  grades,  would  be  equi- 
valent to  $1.89  United  States  currency  for  96  test  Cuba 
centrifugals,  under  like  conditions,  viz.  : f.o.b.  at  port  of 
shipment,  for  any  country  such  as  England  where  the  two 
grades  enter  upon  equal  terms. 

The  effect  of  our  countervailing  duty  assessed  upon 
bounty-fed  sugars  under  the  Dingley  Act  of  1897,  has  been 
to  raise  the  comparative  value  of  cane  sugar  in  producing 
countries,  as  against  beet  sugar,  and  to  place  Germany  and 
other  European  sugar  countries  in  exactly  the  same  condi- 
tion, so  far  as  the  United  States  market  is  concerned,  as  if 
no  bounties  were  paid  by  them ; thus  in  considering  Ger- 
many s competition  with  Cuba  in  the  United  States  markets, 
we  may  eliminate  both  bounties  and  countervailing  duties 
as  factors,  and  say  that  when  Germany  can  sell  to  England 
at  8^.  she  must  obtain  gs.  from  the  United  States  to  give 
her  shippers  an  equal  price ; gs.  is  equivalent  to  about  $2. 18 
United  States  currency,  for  Cuba  centrifugals,  96  test, 
f.o.b.  Cuba. 

The  export  price  of  German  sugar  at  Hamburg  from 
January  1 to  June  1,  1898  (a  period  covering  the  Cuban 
sugar  crop  season),  ranged  from  gs.  to  9*.  9 d.  with  an  aver- 
age of  about  95.  4 \d. 


Sugar — History  and  Future  Outlook  289 

Last  crop  prices  gave  the  Cuban  manufacturers  an  aver- 
age of  about  4\  reals  per  arroba,  say  2\  cents  Spanish  gold, 
a price  at  which  they  could  be  laid  down  in  New  York 
slightly  under  the  parity  of  European  beets,  duty  paid. 

The  imports  of  beet  sugar  from  Europe  into  the  United 
States,  from  January  I to  June  I,  1898,  were  22,000  tons 
against  496,000  tons  for  same  period  of  previous  year;  while 
imports  of  cane  sugars  showed  an  increase  of  some  60,000 
tons;  this  change  in  source  of  supply  being  brought  about 
by  the  countervailing  duty. 

It  is  not  possible  to  give  any  figures  of  the  average  cost 
of  production  in  Cuba.  In  my  opinion  it  is  undoubtedly 
higher  than  the  average  of  Germany.  Of  the  2\  cents  net 
obtained  by  the  Cuban  manufacturers,  the  cane  (which  is  gen- 
erally purchased  upon  a sliding  scale  based  upon  the  current 
value  of  sugar)  costs  them  from  1 cent  to  ij  cents  per  pound 
of  sugar  according  to  yield  at  the  various  factories.  This 
would  leave  them  but  little  over  1 cent  per  pound,  average 
margin,  to  cover  manufacturing  expenses,  salaries,  mainten- 
ance and  repairs,  office  expenses,  interest,  insurance,  and 
freight  to  seaboard,  and  while  some  factories,  thoroughly 
equipped  as  regards  machinery,  skilfully  conducted  as  to 
business  management,  favourably  located  regarding  inland 
transportation,  and  not  dependent  upon  borrowed  capital, 
have  shown  fair  interest  returns  upon  capital  invested,  very 
many  have  been  operated  at  a loss  (aside  from  such  losses 
as  arose  from  the  war),  and  the  margin  of  profit,  both  past 
and  prospective,  is  not  such  as  to  invite  any  large  investment 
of  new  capital  in  sugar  manufacturing. 

The  future  values  of  sugar  in  Cuba  are  dependent,  not  upon 
cost  of  production  in  the  Island,  but  rather  upon  the  cost 
in  Germany;  and  upon  the  extent  to  which  free  sugars  are 
to  be  admitted  into  the  United  States  from  the  Sandwich 
Islands,  Porto  Rico,  and  the  Philippines.  With  new  capi- 
tal and  skill  the  average  cost  of  production  in  Cuba  can  be 
reduced,  and  with  either  free  sugars  or  a uniform  rate  of 
duty  in  the  United  States,  assessed  upon  all  sugars  (a 

*9 


Industrial  Cuba 


290 

countervailing  duty  to  offset  foreign  bounties  always  main- 
tained), she  can  hold  her  own  and  recover  her  prestige  as  a 
sugar-producing  country,  but  the  margin  of  profit  in  sugar 
manufacturing  is  so  small,  and  the  world’s  capacity  for  pro- 
duction so  great,  that  Cuba  cannot  recover  her  prosperity 
in  the  face  of  any  advantage  to  be  given  to  sugars  from 
other  countries  entering  the  United  States.  At  current 
prices  in  Cuba  cane  is  worth  to  the  planter  the  equivalent 
of  $2  to  $2.50  per  net  ton,  out  of  which  price  he  must  pay 
for  his  planting  and  cultivation,  cutting,  and  delivery  to 
factory  or  nearest  railroad  point.  As  the  cost  of  cane  pro- 
duction consists  almost  entirely  of  labour,  and  wages  in 
Cuba,  for  some  years  previous  to  the  insurrection,  ranged 
about  the  same  in  Spanish  gold  as  similar  work  commanded 
in  the  United  States,  the  profits  in  this  branch  of  the  indus- 
try have  not  been  great,  and  have  been  dependent  upon 
skill  in  management,  quality  of  lands,  and  proximity  to  the 
factories. 

The  supply  of  labour  and  rates  of  wages  in  the  future  are 
now  most  serious  questions  to  the  sugar  producer  in  Cuba, 
and  present  the  greatest  obstacle  to  reducing  cost.  For 
supplies  of  cane  the  manufacturer  must  depend  either  upon 
his  own  resources  or  upon  large  planters.  Factories  to  be 
operated  at  a profit  should  be  kept  running  day  and  night, 
and  cane,  owing  to  its  nature,  must  be  ground  immediately 
it  is  cut.  The  grinding  season  in  Cuba  is  limited  to  about 
one  hundred  and  twenty  working  days,  and  small  farmers, 
while  they  can  generally  find  a market  for  their  cane,  can- 
not be  depended  upon  for  a constant  regular  supply.  Had 
Cuba  the  power  to  dictate  her  own  prices,  she  could  main- 
tain sufficient  margin  to  overcome  local  difficulties,  but  that 
power  has  long  since  passed  and  future  profits  must  be  de- 
pendent upon  her  economies.  The  price  of  cane  to  her 
planters  is  dependent  upon  the  price  at  which  her  manu- 
facturers can  sell  their  sugar,  and  this  price  in  turn  is  de- 
pendent upon  the  price  at  which  other  sugar-producing 
countries  (principally  Germany,  the  great  factor  in  the 


UNLOADING  CANE  AT  A BATEY. 


Sugar — History  and  Future  Outlook  291 


world’s  sugar  trade)  can  place  their  goods,  duty  paid,  in  New 
York.  If  Cuba  in  the  future  should  have  to  compete  to 
any  extent,  in  the  United  States,  with  free  sugar  from  other 
countries,  while  a duty  was  exacted  upon  Cuban  sugars,  her 
case  would  seem  to  be  hopeless. 

Another  interesting  and  valuable  statement  was  prepared 
for  the  author  by  Mr.  Wm.  Bonnet,  of  Havana,  under  date 
of  October  8,  1898,  and  gives  an  array  of  statistical  informa- 
tion which  is  as  follows : 


The  loss  to  Spain’s  dominion  of  the  Mexican  Territory 
(1821-1825)  deprived  the  Island  of  a yearly  allowance  of 
about  $1 ,000,000,  which  amount  was  drawn  out  of  the  Mexi- 
can budget  for  the  needs  of  the  Cuban  administration.  The 
Island,  up  to  those  days,  was  considered  more  as  a peniten- 
tiary than  as  a productive  colony ; convicts  were  sent  to 
Havana  with  the  principal  object  of  building  good  ships  for 
the  Spanish  Armada. 

It  was  only  after  the  loss  to  Spain  of  Mexico  that  Cuba 
began  to  improve  her  general  production,  and  the  efforts  of 
the  country  in  growing  sugar  and  coffee  were  so  successful 
that  a few  years  later,  with  the  help  of  the  slaves  that  were 
again  freely  brought  from  Africa,  and  with  the  co-operation 
of  immigrants  that  had  come  from  Hayti,  etc.,  the  Island, 
besides  covering  all  her  expenses,  was  able  to  send  large 
amounts  of  money  to  the  mother  country. 

From  1840  to  1850,  the  production  of  sugar  increased 
gradually  from  200,000  to  about  300,000  tons.  Prices  of 
coffee  began  to  decline  owing  to  excess  of  production  and 
competition  of  Brazil,  and  all  the  attention  was  given  to 
cane  growing,  so  much  so  that  from  1853  up  to  1868,  the 
production  was  rapidly  increased  to  the  following  figures: 


1853 

1854 

1855 

1856 

1857 

1858 

1859 

i860 

1861  466,000  Tons. 

1862  525,000  “ 

1863  507,000  “ 

1864  575,000  “ 

1865  620,000  “ 

1866  612,000  “ 

1867  597,000  “ 

1868  749,000  “ 


292 


Industrial  Cuba 


This  period  of  sixteen  years  was  really  the  so-called  Golden 
Age  of  Cuba.  The  Cuban  budgets,  although  heavy  at  that 
time,  were  easily  covered,  and  on  this  account  extra  taxes 
were  imposed  upon  the  Cuban  people  in  excess  of  what  the 
budgets  called  for  and  remitted  to  the  mother  country ; such 
extra  sums  reaching  as  high  as  $5,000,000  per  annum, — an 
erroneous  and  fatal  system,  the  consequence  of  a mistaken 
policy,  which  then,  as  ever,  led  Spain  to  consider  her  colony 
as  a source  of  income,  forgetting  that  such  excessive  calls, 
constantly  resulting  in  a deficit,  clearly  indicate  bad  admin- 
istration. 

Cuba  was  overtaxed  and  nothing  was  done  to  help  the 
growing  of  our  fertile  Island.  In  vain  did  the  Cubans  lay 
their  claims  for  better  administration.  The  mother  country 
was  deaf.  Commissioners  went  to  Madrid  to  represent,  but 
they  had  to  return,  bringing  back  only  many  promises  that 
were  never  fulfilled.  No  hope  was  left  to  the  Cubans,  and 
all  these  obstinate  errors  brought  on  the  outbreak  of  Octo- 
ber 10,  1868,  which  resulted  in  a civil  war  that  lasted  ten 
years,  ending  in  1878  with  the  so-called  agreement  of  Zanjon. 

The  war  at  first  was  not  a drawback  to  sugar  production, 
and  the  crops  gathered  during  the  Ten  Years’  War  were: 


Called  the  ( 1869. . 
twin  crops.  I 1870. . 

18711. 

1872. . 

1873.. 


726,000  Tons. 

726.000  “ 

547.000  “ 

690.000  “ 

775.000  “ 


1874 

1875 

1876 

1877. 

1878, 


651.000  Tons. 

718.000  “ 

590.000  “ 

520.000  “ 

533.000  “ 


It  is  to  be  noticed  that  during  the  period  of  war  the  sugar 
production  continued  to  increase  at  first,  say  from  1869  to 
1875.  Highly  remunerative  prices  were  then  obtained  for 
sugar;  besides,  from  1869  to  1870,  $70,000,000  in  paper 
money  were  issued,  and  money  was  easy. 

From  1876  to  1878,  the  production  rapidly  decreased. 
Mismanagement,  enormous  taxes  to  attend  war  expenses, 
and  depreciation  of  paper  money  brought  on  national  dis- 


il 


r 

p 

ie 

m 

'll 

:ir 

i 


- 


1 The  two  hurricanes  of  October,  1870,  were  the  cause  of  the  short  crop  of 
1871. 


Sugar — History  and  Future  Outlook  293 

trust  and  financial  troubles.  And  with  all  this,  the  emanci- 
pation of  slaves  was  carried  through  at  that  time,  moreover, 
without  any  compensation  of  any  kind  to  owners. 

Prices  of  sugar,  up  to  the  year  1880,  were  still  remunera- 
tive (4  to  4^  cents  per  pound,  centrifugals  96  test);  but  the 
competition  of  beet  sugars  in  Europe  began  to  be  felt  more 
and  more  every  day,  causing  a lower  tendency  towards  the 
crisis  in  prices  of  the  article  which  finally  reached  a value 
of  only  fifty  per  cent,  of  its  former  quotation. 

Under  such  difficulties  Cuba  struggled  hard.  The  Cuban 
army  was  disbanded  after  the  war,  and  many  persons  who 
had  come  to  towns  for  safety  went  back  to  work  their  fields 
and  became  a new  contingent  of  cane  growers.  The  system 
of  cane  colonias  was  started  all  over  with  marked  success. 
Canes  were  sold  to  the  mills  at  remunerative  prices  and 
fresh  impulse  was  imparted  to  the  country. 

In  spite  of  all  these  efforts,  Spain  persisted  in  considering 
her  colony  a source  of  income.  Our  deputies  to  the  Cortes 
went  full  of  faith,  but  they  came  back  fruitlessly  as  always. 
The  same  mistaken  policy  that  ruled  Cuba  before  was  con- 
tinued as  ever,  and  the  outbreak  of  February  24,  1895,  was 
the  inevitable  result. 

The  crops  gathered  from  1879  to  ^98  were: 


1879 

1889 

560,333  Tons. 

1880 

1890 

1881 

1891 

1882 

1892 

1883 

1893 

815,894  “ 

1884 

558,937  “ 

1894 

1,054,214  “ 

1885 

1895 

1886 

731,723  “ 

1896 

1887 

646,578  “ 

1897 

1888 

1898 

Notice  the  decrease  of  production  of  the  year  1896.  We 
could  have  ground  that  year  more  than  1,100,000  tons  of 
sugar,  had  it  not  been  for  the  war. 

The  amount  of  the  coming  crop  will  depend  entirely  on 


294 


Industrial  Cuba 


the  greater  celerity  that  is  to  be  given  to  the  so-wished  for 
political  change.  Any  delay  will  be  of  disadvantage  to  all 
our  productions.  The  proper  season  for  cleaning  cane  fields 
has  already  vanished,  and  besides  cattle  are  badly  wanted 
and  very  scarce.  Training  for  working  purposes  requires 
time. 

If  peace  becomes  a fact  and  all  the  available  cane  is 
ground,  I would  say  that  500,000  tons  might  be  reached. 

Now  I will  call  your  attention  to  the  distribution  of  our 
crops  these  few  years  back. 

CROP  OF  1893—815,894  TONS  OF  2240  LBS. 


Exported  to  the  United  States 680,642  Tons. 

Canada 25,069  “ 

Spain 9,448  “ 

England 3(045  <• 

Local  consumption  whole  year 50,000  “ 

CROP  OF  1894—1,054,214  TONS  OF  2240  LBS. 

Exported  to  the  United  States 965,524  Tons 

C3.n£idci 24,372  #l 

Spain 23,295  “ 

England IO)528  •• 

Local  consumption  whole  year 50,000  “ 

CROP  OF  1895—1,004,264  TONS  OF  2240  LBS. 

Exported  to  the  United  States 769,958  Tons 

Canada 28,324  “ 

Spain 28,428  “ 

England 5,674  •« 

Local  consumption  whole  year 50,000  “ 

CROP  OF  1896—225,221  TONS  OF  2240  LBS. 

Exported  to  United  States 235,659  Tons 

Spain 9,969  “ 

Local  consumption  whole  year 40,000  “ 


CROP  OF  1897—212,051  TONS  OF  2240  LBS. 


Exported  to  United  States 202,703  Tons 

“ “ Nassau 83  “ 

11  41  Spain 1,337  44 

Local  consumption  whole  year 38,000  “ 


CYLINDERS  FOR  GRINDING  SUGAR  CANE. 





Sugar — History  and  Future  Outlook  295 

The  stock  of  sugar  left  in  store  on  December  I,  1897,  was 
1888  tons,  the  smallest  stock  held  at  an  equal  date  since 
several  years.  The  returns  and  distribution  of  this  year’s 
crop  are  not  completed  yet. 

Notice  the  proportion  of  exports  to  Spain  in  1897  as 
compared  with  exports  to  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Adolfo  Munoz  del  Monte,  writing  in  the  Revista  de 
Agricultura,  says : 

“ During  the  thirty  years  before  1884  the  following  classes  of 
sugar  were  made: 

“ First.  White  sugar  nearly  refined,  manufactured  with  the  aid 
of  vacuum  pans,  filtered  through  bone-black,  and  purified  in 
centrifugal  turbines;  and  the  inferior  products  of  this  manu- 
facture. 

“ Second.  White  and  brown  sugar,  manufactured  and  purified 
in  forms.  Some  estates  use  vacuum  pans  for  these  sugars. 

“ Third.  Muscovado  sugars  manufactured  directly  from  the 
cane  juice. 

“ The  best  sugars  of  these  three  classes  were  exported  in  boxes, 
and  the  inferior  in  hogsheads. 

“ Fourth.  Raw  sugar,  made  in  vacuum  pans  and  crystallised 
immediately  in  centrifugal  turbines,  there  being  two  varieties  of 
this  class  of  sugar,  that  extracted  directly  from  the  juice  and  the 
one  extracted  from  the  molasses  resulting  in  the  purification  of 
the  first  product. 

“ In  the  year  1857  there  was  a universal  crisis  and  after  that 
time  planters  considered  that  the  first  class  mentioned  was  the 
most  profitable,  and  machinery  was  improved  at  great  expense 
for  the  purpose  of  manufacturing  this  grade  of  sugar.  A planta- 
tion with  this  machinery  could  be  improved  only  at  great  cost, 
and  it  would  have  been  impossible  to  do  so  to  any  advantage  had 
it  not  been  for  the  reduced  cost  of  labour  owing  to  slavery,  car- 
ried on  at  the  time. 

“ In  the  meanwhile,  the  beetroot-sugar  industry  was  progress- 
ing both  in  its  agriculture  and  manufacture.  No  one  in  Cuba 
foresaw  the  terrible  revolution  that  this  industry  was  to  suffer  in 
consequence.  It  first  became  apparent  in  the  crisis  in  1884, 
which  may  be  considered  the  most  important  event  in  the  history 


296 


Industrial  Cuba 


of  the  sugar  industry.  This  crisis,  which  came  in  a most  sudden 
and  unexpected  manner,  caused  the  reduction  in  the  price  of 
sugar  which,  though  a benefit  to  the  poorer  classes  of  the  world, 
was  the  ruin  of  Cuba,  as  at  the  same  time  slavery  was  abolished 
without  any  compensation  whatever,  direct  or  indirect,  at  the 
time  when  the  losses  of  a sanguinary  civil  war  were  being  over- 
come. 

“ It  may  be  stated  that  absolutely  no  one  could  foresee,  either 
in  the  present  or  in  the  past  generation,  the  revolution  that  since 
1884  has  shaken  the  industry;  though  the  French  colonists,  fear- 
ing the  competition  from  the  start,  solicited  the  protection  of 
their  Government. 

“ The  French  colonists  feared  this  competition  so  much  that 
fifty  years  ago  they  solicited  from  the  French  Chamber  of  Depu- 
ties a law  prohibiting  the  cultivation  of  beetroot  in  French 
territories,  offering  to  indemnify  those  who  had  commenced  it. 
Experience  has  proved  how  just  their  fears  were  at  that  early 
date;  but  the  French  Government  did  not  grant  their  petition, 
because  it  was  adverse  to  favouring  monopolies,  and  besides,  be- 
cause Germany,  having  no  colonies,  could  promote  that  industry 
without  fear  of  the  rivalry  which  has  proved  of  material  benefit 
to  all  Europe,  including  France  itself. 

“ In  the  course  of  human  events,  time  alone  will  cause  con- 
siderable changes;  just  as  before  1884  all  planters  firmly  believed 
that  greater  profit  was  obtainable  by  the  manufacture  of  white 
sugars  than  lower  grades.  They  then  realised  that  the  unex- 
pected improvements  in  the  manufacturing  and  refining  processes 
in  Europe  indicated  the  necessity  of  changing  their  system. 
Those  countries  which  had,  up  to  that  time,  imported  fine  grades 
of  sugar  from  Cuba  have  been  able  since  then  not  only  to  manu- 
facture better  sugar  at  lower  cost  for  their  own  consumption,  but 
also  to  export  immense  quantities  of  this  article  both  raw  and  re- 
fined to  the  principal  markets  of  the  world.  The  production  is 
to-day  considerably  greater  than  that  of  Cuba. 

“ The  change  is  so  marked  that  there  are  no  longer  any  estates 
in  Cuba  where  the  white  sugar  is  manufactured  which  was  so  de- 
sirable from  1856  to  1884. 

“ Instead  of  this  high-grade  sugar,  planters  are  manufacturing 
the  fourth  of  the  above  mentioned  classes.  The  founding  of 


Sugar — History  and  Future  Outlook  297 

these  estates  or  centrales  requires  investing  considerable  capital 
for  the  erection  and  running  expenses  of  the  works.  These 
centrales  require  excellent  machines  and  apparatus,  furnaces  to 
burn  the  green  bagasse , transportation  facilities,  usually  narrow- 
gauge  railroads,  and  fuel — without  counting  the  necessity  of 
having  well-paid  superintendents,  aided  by  competent  workmen. 

“ Many  will  accuse  planters  of  hasty  action  and  imprudence 
for  having  invested  so  heavily  in  the  sugar  business,  but  this 
would  be  an  unjust  charge,  since  their  object  was  to  keep  up  an 
industry  which  was  threatened  with  destruction,  and  which  is  the 
main  source  of  wealth  of  the  country. 

“ The  consequence  is  that  since  1884  the  general  condition  of 
planters,  considering  the  circumstances,  is  remarkably  better  than 
it  otherwise  would  have  been,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  numer- 
ous obstacles  which  have  always  prevented  the  growth  and  in- 
crease of  Cuban  wealth  there  is  no  reason  why  their  work  should 
not  have  been  crowned  with  success.  It  is  the  obstacles  that 
have  been  put  in  their  way  at  the  time  when  these  changes  were 
being  carried  out  that  made  their  work  so  much  more  difficult, 
but  upon  it  depends  the  fortunes  of  the  present  generations. 

“ It  is  the  principle  of  accumulation  of  capital  produced  by 
work  and  thrift,  put  into  effect  during  one  century,  which  has 
created  the  colossal  fortune  and  solid  civilisation  of  the  United 
States;  and  this  simple  and  natural  procedure  is  the  only  one  that 
can  produce  in  Cuba  results  of  any  importance  tending  to  allevi- 
ate the  present  necessities.  To  organise  a sugar  factory  of  any 
importance  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  invest  a capital  of,  at  the 
very  least,  one  half  a million  dollars,  and  if  the  work  is  to  be  of 
great  importance  the  first  expense  must  be  increased  to  from  one 
million  to  two  million  dollars.  The  annual  expenditure  of  the 
sugar  estates  can  be  divided  into  the  following  groups. 

“ First.  Cost  of  cane  and  its  transportation  to  the  mills,  whether 
bought  from  outsiders  or  grown  on  the  estate  itself.  This  will 
absorb  fifty  per  cent,  of  the  gross  receipts  of  each  crop. 

“ Second.  Salaries  and  wages,  ordinary  and  extraordinary. 

“ Third.  Interest,  whether  on  mortgages,  running  expenses, 
or  accounts  current. 

“ Fourth.  Management  and  running  expenses,  which  are  so 
considerable  that  a statement  of  them  would  seem  exaggerated. 


298 


Industrial  Cuba 


“ Fifth.  The  redemption  of  loans  invested  therein,  taking  into 
account  the  wear  and  tear  of  the  plant. 

“ Sixth.  The  loss  of  interest  of  the  capital  invested  in  the 
lands,  factories,  and  other  works  of  the  plantation. 

“ The  gross  receipts  of  the  crop  are  the  source  of  the  planter’s 
income,  and  naturally  the  six  items  specified  have  been  deducted 
therefrom  before  the  net  profit  can  be  estimated. 

“ In  the  above  expenses  no  repair  items  have  been  included, 
since  they  are  often  virtually  an  increase  in  the  value  of  the 
property  and  therefore  merely  constitute  an  additional  amount 
of  the  capital  invested.  Although  some  companies  insure  parts 
of  sugar  estates,  they  only  take  limited  risks;  so  many  losses  by 
fire,  in  addition  to  hurricanes,  impair  the  value  of  the  property. 
The  fire  insurance  companies  charge  very  high  premiums  for  the 
insurance  that  they  effect. 

“ The  result  of  the  crop  depends  naturally  on  two  factors — first, 
the  quantity  of  sugar  made;  and  second,  the  price  at  which  it  is 
sold. 

“ Before  the  year  1884  the  average  price  was  eight  rials  the 
arroba  (equal  to  one  dollar  for  twenty-five  pounds)  of  cane  sugar, 
number  twelve,  Dutch  standard;  or  centrifugal  sugar,  96  degrees 
polarisation;  and  when  sold  under  this  price  the  planter  could 
not  cover  expenses. 

“ Since  1884  the  price  of  sugar  has  decreased  so  considerably 
that  it  has  reached  a ruinous  figure.  During  the  last  ten  years, 
as  can  be  seen  by  official  quotations,  96  degree  centrifugal 
sugars  have  been  quoted  from  four  to  five  rials,  and  although 
from  1889  to  1893  the  prices  have  several  times  exceeded  eight 
rials,  it  has  only  been  for  a very  short  while. 

“ At  the  end  of  1893  and  during  1894,  the  average  price  has 
been  five  and  one-half  rials,  which  is  simply  ruinous  for  the 
planters. 

“ In  Europe  there  are  facilities  for  obtaining  money;  and 
besides,  it  happens  that  the  beetroot  only  takes  five  months 
from  its  planting  to  the  making  of  sugar,  while  sugar  cane,  be- 
sides having  to  struggle  against  many  obstacles,  requires  fifteen 
months 

“ The  consequence  is  that  the  periods  of  high  prices  are  always 
of  short  duration,  since  as  soon  as  the  prices  commence  to  rise 


APPARATUS  FOR  PACKING  SUGAR  AT  THE  SAN  JOSE  CENTRAL. 


Sugar — History  and  Future  Outlook  299 

the  sowings  of  beet  increase,  thereby  causing  an  obstacle  to  the 
continuance  of  the  rise. 

“ The  lack  of  capital  makes  the  problem  insoluble  to  the  Cuban 
planter,  and  whatever  means  he  can  use  to  overcome  his  diffi- 
culties, the  final  result  will  always  be  the  same,  as  he  cannot  re- 
duce the  expenses  of  his  plantation  beyond  a certain  limit. 

“ There  is  no  doubt  that  to-day  (1894)  the  sugar  estates  do  not 
cover  expenses,  and  this  fact  is  of  immense  importance,  not  only 
because  it  explains  the  present  misfortunes,  but  because  in  it  will 
be  found  latent  the  germs  of  many  future  misfortunes. 

“ The  causes  of  the  dangerous  situation  have  been  well  studied; 
some  will  be  found  in  history  and  in  the  economic  management 
of  the  Island  and  others  in  the  effect  of  beetroot  industry  on  cane. 

“ Consequently,  the  unfortunate  situation  of  the  sugar  industry 
in  Cuba  is  due  to  three  principal  causes  which  by  a strange  co- 
incidence have  acted  simultaneously,  to  wit:  the  economic  regime 
in  the  Island,  the  abolishment  of  slavery  without  indemnifying 
the  owners,  and  the  great  reduction  in  the  price  of  sugar  since 
1884. 

“ The  efforts  of  the  planters  to  save  their  industry  have  been 
interpreted  by  the  Spanish  Government  as  signs  of  prosperity, 
and  that  has  based  on  this  misunderstanding  of  facts  the  in- 
definite continuance  of  a disastrous  economic  system  that  is 
moulded  on  the  old  colonial  system  and  is  bound  to  ruin  this 
Island,  even  if  it  were  as  rich  and  prosperous  as  the  Government 
states  that  it  is. 

“ This  official  optimism  is  deplorable  for  more  than  one  reason. 
It  is  to  be  noticed  that  as  Cuba’s  poverty  increases  the  preten- 
sions of  perpetual  exactions  are  greater,  and  that  the  bulk  is  borne 
by  the  planters,  who,  together  with  the  rest  of  the  Cuban  popul- 
ation, are  possessors,  judging  by  these  exactions,  of  sources  of 
unlimited  wealth.” 

This  chapter  may  be  fittingly  concluded  with  the  follow- 
ing table  compiled  by  Messrs.  Willet  & Gray,  January  5, 
1899,  giving  the  entire  sugar  production  of  all  the  countries 
of  the  world,  including  those  crops  which  have  heretofore 
been  ignored  in  statistics.  These  figures  include  local  con- 
sumptions of  home  production  wherever  known. 


300 


Industrial  Cuba 


1898-99. 

x897-98- 

1896-97. 

1895-96. 

United  States : 

Tons. 

Tons. 

Tons. 

Tons. 

Cane 

270,000 

310,000 

282,009 

237,720 

Beet 

33,960 

41,347 

40,000 

30,000 

Porto  Rico 

70,000 

54,000 

54,000 

50,000 

Canada — beets 

300 

300 

300 

500 

Cuba — crop 

450,000 

314,009 

219,500 

240,000 

British  West  Indies : 

T rinidad — export 

50,000 

52,000 

51,000 

58,000 

Barbadoes — exports 

47,000 

52,000 

58,249 

47,800 

Jamaica 

27,000 

30,000 

30,000 

30,000 

Antigua  and  St.  Kitts 

22,000 

25,000 

29,000 

24,000 

French  West  Indies : 

Martinique — exports 

32,000 

35,000 

35,000 

35,000 

Guadeloupe 

40,000 

45,000 

45,000 

45,000 

Danish  West  Indies : 

St.  Croix 

12,000 

13,000 

13.058 

8,000 

Hayti  and  San  Domingo 

48,000 

48,000 

48,800 

50,000 

Lesser  Antilles,  not  named  above. . 

8,000 

8,000 

8,000 

8,000 

M exico — exports 

2,000 

2,000 

2,000 

2,000 

Central  America  : 

Guatemala — crop 

9,000 

9,000 

8,000 

7,000 

San  Salvador — crop 

4,000 

4,000 

3,000 

2,000 

Nicaragua — crop 

1,500 

1,500 

500 

500 

Costa  Rica — crop 

500 

500 

200 

200 

South  America  : 

British  Guiana  (Demerara) — ex- 

port 

98,000 

98,000 

99.789 

105,000 

Dutch  Guiana  (Surinam) — crop. . 

6,000 

6,000 

6,000 

6,000 

Peru — crop 

75,000 

70,000 

70,000 

68,000 

Argentine  Republic — crop 

75,000 

110,000 

165,000 

130,000 

Brazil — crop 

165,000 

195,000 

210,000 

225,000 

Total  in  America 

1,546,260 

1,523,656 

1,469,405 

1,409,720 

Asia : 

British  India — exports 

50,000 

50,000 

50,000 

50,000 

Siam — crop 

7,000 

7,000 

7,000 

7,000 

Java — exports 

635,000 

541,581 

473.420 

605,025 

Japan  (consumption  125,000  tons, 

Philippine  Islands — exports 

140,000 

165,000 

197,000 

240,000 

Cochin  China 

31,000 

30,000 

30,000 

30,000 

Total  in  Asia 

863,000 

793,581 

757,420 

932,025 

Australia  and  Polynesia : 

Queensland 

65,000 

65,000 

70,000 

60,000 

New  South  Wales 

30,000 

30,000 

30,000 

30,000 

201,632 

Hawaiian  Islands 

240,000 

204,833 

224,220 

Fiji  Islands — exports 

30,000 

30,000 

30,000 

30,000 

Total  in  Australia  and  Poly- 

nesia 

365,000 

329.833 

354,220 

321,632 

Sugar — History  and  Future  Outlook  301 


1898-99. 

1897-98. 

1896-97. 

1895-96. 

Africa  : 

Egypt — crop 

Mauritius  and  other  British  pos- 
sessions  

Reunion  and  other  French  pos- 
sessions  

Total  in  Africa 

Europe : 

Tons. 

105,000 

150,000 

45,000 

Tons. 

85.000 
120,000 

45.000 

Tons. 

100,000 

150,000 

48,000 

Tons. 

92,000 

140,000 

44.700 

300,000 

250,000 

298,000 

276,700 

8,000 

8,000 

8,000 

8,000 

T otal  cane-sugar  production . 
Total  beet-sugar  production 
(Licht.) 

Grand  total  cane-  and  beet- 

sugar  production 

Estimated  increase  in  world's 

3,082,260 

4,790,000 

2,905,070 

4.825,529 

2,887,045 

4,916,586 

2,948,077 

4,285,429 

7,872,260 

141,661 

7,730,599 

7,803,631 

7,233.506 

The  above  table  shows  the  relative  importance  of  the 
sugar-producing  countries  of  the  world.  The  time  will 
come  when  Germany  and  the  other  continental  countries  will 
become  tired  of  paying  a bounty  on  the  production  of  beet 
sugar.  Then  Cuba  will  take  her  rightful  place  as  the  great- 
est sugar-producing  country  of  the  world.  If  Cuba  then 
belongs  to  the  United  States  we  shall  control  the  sugar 
market  of  the  world  just  as  we  now  control  the  world’s 
market  in  so  many  other  staple  products. 


CHAPTER  XXI 
TOBACCO 

THE  companions  of  Christopher  Columbus  on  the  first 
1 voyage  of  discovery  in  1492  found  what  has  since  been 
known  as  tobacco.  Two  weeks  after  sighting  the  first  known 
land  in  the  New  West,  that  is  to  say,  on  the  27th  of  Octo- 
ber, the  ships  of  Columbus  anchored  off  the  shores  of  a great 
land,  supposed  to  be  the  Kingdom  of  the  Khan,  to  whose 
ruler  Columbus  bore  letters  of  introduction  from  the  King 
and  Queen  of  Spain.  Here— in  the  Island  which  is  now 
called  Cuba  exploring  parties  went  ashore  and  proceeded 
into  the  interior  seeking  mines  of  gold  and  silver,  which  they 
had  been  told  existed.  They  found  no  gold  or  silver,  but 
many  strange  things,  among  them  natives,  with  firebrands 
in  their  hands,  and  puffing  smoke  from  their  mouths  and 
noses.  After  investigation  into  the  nature  of  this  peculiar 
custom  the  sailors  tried  it  for  themselves;  but  its  adoption 
by  the  Spaniards  was  not  immediate.  The  herb  bore  several 
names,  but  tabago,  or  tobago,  or  tabaco,  seemed  to  be  the 
one  of  most  general  adoption.  It  was  the  name  of  a peculiar- 
shaped implement,  or  pipe,  which  the  natives  used  in  smok- 
ing, and  from  this  the  name  tobacco  easily  grew— though 
various  European  writers  attempted  to  fix  more  romantic  or 
poetic  names  upon  the  new  narcotic. 

Although  tobacco  was  first  known  to  the  Spaniards  in 
1492,  it  was  not  until  1560  that  it  was  known  at  all  in  Spain, 
and  not  until  1586  that  it  was  used  in  Europe,  when  Ralph 
Lane,  sent  out  to  Virginia  as  Governor  by  Sir  Walter 
Raleigh,  returned  and  smoked  the  first  pipe  in  England. 

302 


PLANTING  TOBACCO. 


Tobacco 


303 


Thence  very  quickly  the  habit  grew,  until  in  the  middle  of 
the  seventeenth  century  tobacco  was  sought  and  feted  in 
every  civilised  country  of  the  world. 

It  may  be  appropriate  in  this  connection  to  call  the 
reader’s  attention  to  the  fact  that,  although  every  known 
climate  and  soil  of  the  earth  have  been  tried  in  the  cultiva- 
tion of  tobacco,  Cuba,  where  it  was  discovered  more  than 
four  hundred  years  ago,  is  still  first  in  the  quality  produced, 
and  Cuban  tobacco  need  never  fear  a successful  rival  in 
excellence. 

The  cultivation  of  tobacco  in  Cuba  was  not  begun  until 
1580,  when  the  Spaniards  laid  out  small  plantations  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Havana.  Three  hundred  years  later 
there  were  over  ten  thousand  tobacco  plantations  in  the 
Island.  These  first  plantations  were  located  in  or  near  the 
Vuelta  Abajo  (Lower  Valley)  to  the  south-west  of  Havana; 
and  although  even  at  that  early  period  these  plantations 
produced  the  best  tobacco  in  the  Island,  the  product  of  the 
Vuelta  Abajo  did  not  reach  its  world-wide  fame  until  two 
hundred  and  fifty  years  later.  Having  once  reached  the 
summit  of  tobacco  glory,  however,  the  Vuelta  Abajo  pro- 
duct has  never  lost  its  proud  position,  and  to-day  ranks  as 
the  first  tobacco  in  the  world. 

This  is  due,  of  course,  to  soil  and  climatic  conditions;  for 
that  peculiar  skill  or  strange  power,  or  whatever  it  may  be, 
which  the  Cuban  tobacco  grower  possesses  is  not  more  a 
characteristic  of  the  Vuelta  Abajo  farmer  than  of  other 
growers  in  the  Island.  Indeed,  the  Partidos  leaf  is  larger 
in  size,  finer  in  texture,  and  richer  in  colour  than  its  neigh- 
bour, the  Vuelta  Abajo,  but  it  is  lacking  in  the  flavour 
which  can  only  come  from  water,  soil,  and  air.  The  Vuelta 
Abajo  district  occupies  an  area  of  about  ninety  miles  in 
length  by  ten  in  width,  and  its  province  (Pinar  del  Rio) 
leads  in  the  Cuban  tobacco  output,  both  as  to  quality  and 
quantity. 

Tobacco  is  the  second  leading  industry  of  Cuba,  with 
sugar  first,  and  its  cultivation  is  considerably  in  advance  of 


304 


Industrial  Cuba 


sugar  as  concerns  not  only  profit  to  acreage,  but  conditions 
of  plantations  and  labour.  A sugar  plantation  is  a wide 
waste  of  monotony  in  appearance;  while  a tobacco  planta- 
tion, or  vega , as  it  is  known,  with  its  kitchen  garden,  its 
plantanos  for  feeding  the  hands,  its  flowering  and  fruit  trees, 
its  stone  walls,  its  entrance  gates  and  pretty  houses,  is  the 
most  charming  agricultural  sight  in  Cuba  except  a coffee 
plantation.  The  average  acreage  of  a vega  is,  say,  thirty- 
five  acres,  and  from  a dozen  to  forty  men  are  employed  in 
each  vega , chiefly  lower-class  whites.  More  skill,  too,  is 
required  in  the  cultivation  of  tobacco  than  sugar,  and  the 
class  of  labour  is  considerably  superior  to  that  employed  in 
sugar  planting. 

Only  a small  portion  of  the  acreage  of  Cuba  is  occupied  by 
tobacco  plantations,  notwithstanding  tobacco  is  its  second 
product  in  value.  The  bulk  of  it  comes  from  the  western 
end  of  the  Island:  the  provinces  of  Pinar  del  Rio,  Havana, 
and  Santa  Clara. 

The  following  report  on  the  tobacco  product  will  show 
the  amounts  raised  in  each  province,  the  grade,  the  amount 
consumed,  and  the  amount  exported: 

“ The  production  of  leaf-tobacco  in  the  Island  of  Cuba  before 
the  revolution  of  the  year  1894-95  amounted  to  about  560,000 
bales,  averaging  about  50  kilos  each,  say  28,000,000  kilos  or 
62,173,800  pounds.  Of  this  amount  about  260,000  bales  are  har- 
vested in  the  province  of  Pinar  del  Rio,  known  in  the  trade  as 
Vuelta  Abajo  leaf,  which  is  of  the  finest  quality  and  of  which 
about  140,000  bales  are  used  by  first-class  cigar  and  cigarette 
manufacturers  of  Havana,  the  balance  being  exported  to  the 
United  States  of  America  and  Europe. 

“ The  province  of  Havana  on  an  average  produced,  before  the 
war,  only  about  70,000  bales  known  as  Partido  leaf,  one-fifth  of 
which  is  used  in  Cuba  for  cheaper  grades  of  cigars  and  cigarettes 
and  the  remainder  exported  to  Key  West,  New  York,  and  Europe. 
The  quantity  of  tobacco  grown  in  the  province  of  Matanzas  is  so 
very  insignificant  that  it  is  not  known  in  the  market  at  all. 

“ The  province  of  Santa  Clara  produces  on  an  average  about 


TOBACCO  FARM  AND  DWELLING. 


Tobacco 


305 


130.000  bales,  generally  known  as  Remedios  leaf,  of  which  about 

30.000  bales  are  used  in  that  district  and  the  neighbouring  cities, 
and  the  remainder,  100,000  bales,  goes  to  the  United  States  ; 
that  is,  the  finer  grades,  for  the  lower  grades  are  shipped  to  Ger- 
many, etc.  The  province  of  Puerto  Principe  produces  little  or 
no  tobacco  ; nothing  at  least  comes  to  the  market. 

“ El  Oriente,  or  in  other  words  the  province  of  Santiago  de 
Cuba,  had  a production  of  about  100,000  bales,  generally  called 
tobacco  Gibara  or  Mayari,  of  which  about  40,000  bales  are  con- 
sumed by  the  inhabitants  of  the  district,  and  the  remaining  60,- 
000  bales  are  exported  to  those  countries  where  a government 
monopoly  of  the  tobacco  industry  exists,  viz.:  Austria,  Spain, 
Italy,  etc.  This  tobacco  is  very  coarse  and  the  greater  part  suit- 
able only  for  pipe  smoking.  The  price  is  in  proportion  to  the 
quality  ; often  not  higher  than  twelve  to  fifteen  cents  a pound.” 

While  the  methods  of  the  tobacco  grower  differ  in  detail 
in  the  various  provinces,  in  a general  way  one  fairly  broad 
description  of  tobacco  raising  will  apply  to  all.  The  activ- 
ity begins  in  September,  at  which  time  the  seed  is  sown  in 
the  semilleros,  or  planting  beds,  which  ordinarily  lie  higher 
than  the  common  level  of  the  farm.  About  the  end  of 
October,  or  say  in  fifty  days,  the  young  plants  are  trans- 
ferred to  a field  prepared  for  them,  and  are  set  out  at  in- 
tervals of  eighteen  inches;  great  care  being  taken,  as  they 
are  so  delicate  that  a slight  bruise  upon  their  roots  will  kill 
them.  The  plants  are  removed  from  the  nursery  in  the 
morning  and  set  out  in  the  evening.  The  growing  plant  is 
now  carefully  watched,  the  ground  kept  free  from  weeds, 
the  tops  of  the  plants  pruned,  and  the  suckers  removed  from 
the  roots.  The  pruning  is  done  with  the  thumb  nail,  as  its 
dull  edge  closes  the  wound  to  the  stem  and  prevents  its 
bleeding.  The  three  enemies  to  the  plant  are  the  common 
tobacco  worm,  a slug  that  destroys  the  leaf,  and  a butterfly 
from  this  slug,  which  lays  its  eggs  on  the  leaves  and  kills 
them.  These  insects  must  be  removed  by  hand,  and  the 
work  is  hard  and  disagreeable. 

The  plant  is  ready  for  cutting  in  January,  and  after  being 
20 


3°6 


Industrial  Cuba 


cut  the  leaves  are  hung  on  poles  and  dried  in  the  open  air 
and  in  the  drying-sheds.  When  thoroughly  dry,  the  leaves 
are  removed  from  the  poles,  sprinkled  with  water  in  which 
tobacco  stems  have  been  left  until  fermentation  has  taken 
place,  and  the  tobacco  is  packed,  first  into  bunches,  then 
into  bales  of  iio  pounds  each.  In  this  form  it  is  ready  for 
shipment.  The  tobacco  is  classed  according  to  quality, 
which  also  fixes  the  price.  Fertilisers  are  not  often  used, 
as  they  affect  the  flavour. 

One  man  can  attend  to  15,000  plants,  which  is  about  the 
product  of  two  acres,  and  one  acre  has  been  known  to  yield 
a crop  worth  $3000,  but,  of  course,  quality,  rather  than 
quantity,  makes  such  value.  It  is  estimated  that  80,000 
persons  are  engaged  in  cultivating  tobacco  in  Cuba. 

Although  profits  of  from  ten  to  thirty-five  per  cent,  have 
been  realised  on  tobacco-raising  in  Cuba,  very  few  foreigners, 
excepting  an  occasional  German,  have  undertaken  it.  Eng- 
lish and  German  companies  own  the  majority  of  the  manu- 
facturing establishments  in  Havana  and  elsewhere,  but 
they  have  found  that  it  is  more  profitable  to  buy  the  raw 
material  than  to  raise  it,  although  an  English  company, 
manufacturing  in  Havana,  is  reported  to  have  paid  $1,000,- 
000  for  18,000  acres  in  the  Vuelta  Abajo  district. 

Among  the  great  Havana  companies  are  the  famous  Henry 
Clay  and  Bock  Company,  Limited,  with  a capital  of  $2,- 
500,000;  the  Partagos  Company,  of  London,  capital  $1,- 
500,000;  H.  Upmann  & Company,  a German  corporation, 
and  many  others  (120  in  all),  of  varying  nationalities;  but 
no  American  companies.'  Of  the  total  exports  of  cigars  and 
tobacco  from  Cuba,  Havana  ships  by  far  the  largest  per- 
centage, estimated  at  from  ninety-five  to  ninety-nine  per 
cent,  of  the  whole.  The  largest  number  of  cigars  (188,755,- 
000)  were  shipped  in  1888,  out  of  a total  shipment  to  all 
countries  of  219,892,000.  In  1896,  owing  to  the  high  tariff 

1 Since  this  chapter  was  written  an  American  syndicate  known  as  the  Havana 
Commercial  Co.  has  been  formed.  This  company  has  absorbed  some  fourteen 
factories  in  Cuba. 


Tobacco 


307 


in  the  United  States,  the  exports  dropped  to  60,000,000, 
estimated,  and  the  entire  shipments  of  Cuban  tobacco  to 
the  United  States  decreased  from  26,771,317  pounds,  val- 
ued at  $10,613,468,  in  1896,  to  4,410,073  pounds,  valued 
at  $2,306,067  for  the  first  nine  months  of  1897. 

The  tobacco  interests  of  Cuba  have  suffered,  as  all  others 
have,  from  Spanish  greed,  dishonesty,  and  misrule;  and 
now  that  the  new  era  is  at  hand,  changed  conditions  for  the 
better  will  develop  at  once.  No  more  fitting  conclusion  to 
this  chapter  could  be  made  than  to  present  the  following 
clear  and  comprehensive  statement  of  Mr.  Gustavo  Bock, 
of  the  Henry  Clay  and  Bock  Company,  Limited,  of  Havana, 
on  the  production  of  tobacco  in  Cuba,  its  manufacture,  its 
necessities  in  the  present  difficult  situation,  and  the  quickest 
and  best  means  of  improvement.  Mr.  Bock  prepared  this 
valuable  report  especially  for  the  author. 

“ The  war,  with  its  sad  and  distressing  consequences,  has 
been  the  principal  cause  of  the  destruction  of  the  farms  em- 
ployed in  the  cultivation  of  tobacco  and  the  ruin  of  the 
tobacco  industry. 

The  principal  causes  of  destruction  are  three:  1st.  De- 
population of  the  country.  It  is  an  undoubted  and  recog- 
nised fact  that  the  scarcity  of  men  employed  in  the  country 
has  greatly  reduced  the  production  of  tobacco,  limiting  it 
to  small  zones,  where  at  great  expense  and  sacrifice  a small 
production  has  been  obtained.  This  reduction  in  the  popu- 
lation is  estimated  at  sixty-five  per  cent.,  as  may  be  seen  by 
the  statistics  of  the  districts  of  Guane,  Remates,  Grifa, 
Cortes,  and  Sabalo,  in  the  province  of  Pinar  del  Rio,  to 
which — not  to  make  these  notes  too  long — we  will  limit 
ourselves.  Before  the  war  there  were  36,000  inhabitants  in 
the  province  named,  and  the  average  production  of  leaf 
tobacco  was  60,000  to  65,000  bales.  To-day  there  are 
scarcely  6000  inhabitants,  and  the  last  crop  was  barely  6000 
bales;  and  these  were  produced  thanks  to  the  efforts  of  a 
foreign  syndicate,  which,  risking  its  capital,  and  with  few 
hopes  of  future  compensation,  began  the  work  of  recon- 


3°8 


Industrial  Cuba 


struction,  thereby  saving  thousands  of  families  from  a cer- 
tain death. 

2nd.  Seizure  of  cattle.  Cattle,  which  are  the  most  im- 
portant factor  in  agriculture,  have  been  reduced  to  such 
small  numbers  that  in  some  tobacco  districts  there  are  abso- 
lutely none,  and  in  the  few  places  where  there  are  any  left, 
they  are  entirely  insufficient  for  the  most  urgent  require- 
ments. Cattle  in  this  Island  are  of  the  first  necessity. 
"Without  exaggerating  the  expression,  oxen  constitute  the 
right  hand  of  the  farmer  during  the  crop.  Their  work  com- 
mences with  the  plough  and  continues  without  rest  until  the 
crop  is  gathered  and  taken  to  the  seaboard.  They  cannot 
be  replaced  by  any  other  animal,  as  has  been  proved  by 
experience;  practice  having  shown  that  horses  and  mules 
are  unavailable  in  this  service,  in  view  of  the  special  topo- 
graphy of  the  Vuelta  Abajo  district  and  the  climate  of  the 
Island  of  Cuba.  One  of  the  chief  reasons  of  this  scarcity  is 
the  constant  seizure  of  the  cattle  by  the  Government  troops, 
carried  on  unmercifully.  It  is  not  necessary  to  prove  that 
this  state  of  affairs  will  bring  about  the  complete  annihila- 
tion of  cattle,  leaving  the  poor  labourer  and  the  majority  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  Vuelta  Abajo  in  the  most  precari- 
ous circumstances.  The  consequence  of  this  unjustifiable 
measure  will  affect  not  only  those  employed  in  the  fields  of 
that  province,  but  also  those  who  depend  exclusively  on  the 
tobacco  industry  in  the  towns  and  in  Havana.  Without 
a crop,  without  raw  material,  the  factories  will  have  to  close 
their  doors,  and  the  misery  with  all  its  horrors,  brought  about 
8y  the  system  of  reconcentration,  will  only  be  renewed. 

3rd.  Loss  of  capital  and  credit.  The  disappearance  of 
capital,  and  the  consequent  absence  of  credit,  are  due  essen- 
tially to  the  above  mentioned  causes.  It  is  unnecessary  to 
prove  this  statement;  it  has  been  the  inevitable.  These 
are,  I repeat,  the  principal  causes  which  have  brought  about 
the  disastrous  condition  of  the  tobacco  industry. 

T hat  the  reconstruction  be  permanent,  it  is  necessary  to 
give  ample  protection  to  the  farmer,  and  for  this  we  need : 


WETTING  THE  TOBACCO  LEAF. 


Tobacco 


309 


“ 1st.  The  promotion  of  immigration.  All  obstacles  to 
the  return  of  the  white  man  to  his  labour  in  the  fields  should 
be  removed.  As  the  existing  number  of  white  labourers  is 
entirely  insufficient  for  the  needs  of  the  cultivation  of  to- 
bacco, it  is  necessary  to  favour  as  much  as  possible  the 
immigration  of  Canary  Islanders,  who  constituted  before 
the  war  the  majority  of  the  tobacco  growers.  Their  know- 
ledge and  condition  make  them  suitable  for  the  working  of 
these  fields  in  preference  to  others. 

“ 2nd.  Free  importation  of  cattle.  The  immediate  free 
importation  of  cattle  is  necessary,  as  only  a few  oxen  and 
milchers  are  left.  As  I have  already  stated,  oxen  are  the 
principal  factors  in  the  farmer’s  work  in  this  district,  and  it 
is  necessary  to  import  them  without  delay,  free  of  duty,  as 
the  farmer  cannot  afford  to  pay  the  exorbitant  duties  now 
enforced.  Immediate  attention  should  be  given  this  subject 
in  view  of  the  fact  that  work  on  the  next  crop  must  begin 
in  a very  short  time. 

“3rd.  Inducement  to  capital  and  revival  of  credit.  With 
the  free  importation  of  cattle,  immigration  of  white  labour- 
ers, and  the  establishment  of  a firm  and  stable  government, 
undoubtedly  this  district  would  return  to  its  former  prosper- 
ous condition.  Peace,  order,  and  work  would  invite  capital 
to  lend  a vigorous  and  impulsive  hand  to  regain  the  district’s 
lost  wealth  and  credit. 

“ 4th.  Construction  of  roads.  The  province  of  Pinar  del 
Rio  has  always  felt  the  want  of  communication  with  the 
commercial  centres.  After  three  years  of  war,  between 
neglect  and  destruction,  there  are  to-day  practically  no 
roads.  This  evil  has  caused  an  increase  in  freight  rates, 
and  in  some  cases  the  rates  exceed  the  value  of  the  goods. 
To  promote  the  industry  of  the  province,  new  roads  should 
be  built  and  the  old  ones  reconstructed. 

5th.  Establishment  of  a corps  of  rural  police.  The  es- 
tablishment of  a corps  of  police  is  an  important  point  to  the 
country  districts.  They  should  be  organised  under  condi- 
tions similar  to  those  now  given  to  the  Civil  Guards,  an 


Industrial  Cuba 


io 


armed  force  for  the  persecution  of  bandits  and  the  mainten- 
ance of  order  in  the  country  districts  of  Cuba.  It  is  not  to 
be  expected  that  all  the  vagabonds,  thieves,  and  bad  char- 
acters who  existed  before  the  revolution  have  decreased 
in  number,  considering  the  irregular  lives  they  must  have 
been  leading,  and  that,  now  peace  is  restored,  they  will  be- 
come honest  and  good  workmen.  Protection  against  this 
class  of  people  can  be  afforded  the  tobacco  grower  by  a well 
constituted  corps  of  rural  police. 

“ Protection  and  guarantee  of  the  genuineness  of  Cuban 
tobacco.  Now  that  we  have  pointed  out  the  measures  we 
consider  most  urgent  to  re-establish  the  industry  of  the 
tobacco  provinces,  we  will  mention  what  we  consider  neces- 
sary for  the  protection  of  the  Vuelta  Abajo  tobacco  leaf. 
It  is  not  enough  that  the  agriculture  of  the  district  should 
rise  to  its  former  state  of  prosperity ; it  is  necessary,  be- 
sides, to  protect  in  some  way  the  reputation  of  Cuban 
tobacco,  and  especially  the  Vuelta  Abajo  tobacco  leaf,  con- 
sidered to-day  without  a rival  in  the  world.  These  meas- 
ures are  purely  economical.  They  concern  an  uncommon 
article,  for  the  production  of  which  means  and  expenses  are 
used  that  entitle  it  to  unusual  protection,  as  will  be  shown 
by  the  following  calculation  : 

“ To  produce  ioo  bales  of  tobacco,  of  50  kilos  each,  a 
farmer  would  rent  one  caballeria  of  land  (equalling  33i\nf 
acres),  one  half  of  which  he  would  employ  for  tobacco  culti- 
vation and  the  remainder  for  vegetables. 


Rent  of  land  per  year $ 300.00 

250,000  plants  @ $1.50  per  thousand 375.00 

6250  lbs.  of  Peruvian  fertiliser 250.00 

Hiring  of  oxen 102.00 

Wages  and  maintenance  of  12  men  @ $25  per  month  each 3000.00 

Yaguas , Majaguas,  and  expenses 300.00 

Taxes,  physicians  bills  and  medicines,  and  living  expenses  of  the 

planter 400.00 


Total, 


$4,727-00 


“ So  that  a planter  would  have  to  sell  each  50  kilos  of  to- 
bacco at  $47.27  to  cover  the  cost  of  production.  The  fore- 


TOBACCO  DRYING  HOUSE. 


Tobacco 


3i  1 

going  figures  show  clearly  that  the  production  of  tobacco  in 
the  Island  of  Cuba  is  more  expensive  than  that  in  any  other 
part  of  the  world,  special  attention  being  necessary  to  its 
raising  from  the  day  it  is  planted  to  the  cutting  of  the  leaf, 
besides  the  subsequent  treatment  necessary  to  obtain  good 
results;  which  work  goes  on  night  and  day,  if  a good  quality 
is  desired.  The  following  measures  are  therefore  necessary 
for  the  protection  of  the  industry: 

“ To  insure  a planter  the  sale  of  his  crop  at  a price  in 
proportion  to  the  cost  of  production,  it  is  absolutely  indis- 
pensable that  the  present  regulations  prohibiting  the  im- 
portation and  reimportation  in  this  Island  of  all  foreign 
manufactured  or  unmanufactured  tobacco  should  continue 
in  force;  excepting  only  snuff  and  chewing  tobacco,  that 
have  always  been  imported  here  and  in  no  way  hurt  our 
trade  or  agriculture.  Of  the  many  laws  and  decrees  which 
the  Madrid  Government  has  issued  to  favour  this  colony, 
none  has  been  wiser  than  this  prohibition  of  the  importation 
of  foreign  leaf  tobacco,  thereby  avoiding  the  importation  of 
a leaf  of  inferior  quality  by  unscrupulous  persons,  who  after 
manufacturing  the  cigar  in  the  way  usual  in  this  country, 
made  perhaps  with  a small  proportion  of  Cuban  leaf,  would 
export  it  as  genuine  Havana;  a business  which  would  prove 
most  profitable  to  the  adulterator,  but  which  in  time  would 
totally  ruin  the  reputation  of  our  products,  both  agricultural 
and  industrial,  bringing  about  a decrease  in  prices  which 
would  eventually  cause  a cessation  of  the  cultivation  of 
tobacco. 

“ Production  of  tobacco  in  the  Island,  local  consumption, 
exports,  particularly  those  to  the  United  States.  The  pro- 
duction of  tobacco  in  normal  times  is  estimated  at: 


In  Pinar  del  Rio,  called  Vuelta  Abajo 260,000  bales 

In  Havana,  called  Partido 70,000  “ 

In  Las  Villas  Sta.  Clara,  called  Remedios 130,000  “ 

In  the  Eastern  Provinces,  called  Mayari  y Gibara 100,000  “ 


Total 


560,000  “ 


Industrial  Cuba 


312 

or,  on  an  average  of  50  kilos  per  bale  (no  pounds),  28,000,- 
000  kilos,  or  62,173,800  pounds. 

Note. — In  Vuelta  Abajo  there  is  a good  deal  of  uncul- 
tivated land,  and  with  permanent  peace  and  a stable  gov- 
ernment, that  could  insure  protection  to  capitalists,  this 
production  could  easily  be  increased  in  Vuelta  Abajo  alone 
to  500,000  bales.  The  provinces  of  Havana,  Las  Villas, 
and  the  Eastern  Provinces  would  increase  in  the  same 
proportion. 

In  the  manufacture  of  cigars,  cigarettes,  and  packages 
of  smoking  tobacco  for  home  consumption,  the  following 
number  of  bales  of  tobacco  are  used: 


Vuelta  Abajo. 

Partido 

Sta.  Clara. . . 
Gibara 


140,000  bales. 

10.000  “ 

30.000  “ 

40.000  “ 


Total. 


220,000  “ 


and  for  export  as  follows: 

120.000  bales. 

60,000  “ 

100.000  “ 

60,000  “ 

Total 340,000  “ 

at  50  kilos  per  bale,  17,000,000  kilos  or  36,956,000  pounds. 


Vuelta  Abajo. 

Partido 

Sta.  Clara. . . 
Gibara 


“ The  United  States  has  bought  and  imported  from  the 
Island  of  Cuba  as  follows: 


In  the  year  1893. 
In  the  year  1894. 
In  the  year  1895. 
In  the  year  1896. 
In  the  year  1897. 


21,694,881  pounds $8,940,058 

14,578,248  “ 5,828,954 

20,175,620  “ 7,271,794 

26,771,317  “ 10,613,468 

4,410,073  “ (6  mos.) 2,306,067 


A total  value  of  leaf  exported  is  estimated  per  annum  at $12,000,000 

and  the  220,000  bales  for  home  consumption  are  valued  at 10,000,000 

Total $22,000,000 


Tobacco 


3T3 

“ Manufacturing:  its  importance  and  prospects.  Having 
expressed  our  views  concerning  the  production  of  leaf  to- 
bacco, we  will  now  refer  to  its  manufacture,  an  industry 
which  has  for  several  years  dragged  along,  and  which  is  of 
great  importance  and  deserves  the  utmost  attention.  It  is 
impossible  to  estimate  how  important  an  industry  it  would 
be  to-day,  if,  instead  of  the  setbacks  it  has  received,  its 
energies  had  been  allowed  to  develop.  The  universal  reput- 
ation which  this  leaf  enjoys,  owing  to  the  excellency  of  its 
quality  and  the  perfection  of  its  manufacture,  would  increase 
threefold  if  the  industry  were  promoted.  In  importance,  it 
is  to-day  the  second  industry  in  the  country,  and  in  the 
provinces  of  Havana  and  Pinar  del  Rio  it  is  the  foremost. 
With  100,000  cwt.  costing  $4,000,000  in  1889,  the  following 
has  been  manufactured: 


For  exportation 250,000,000  cigars $11,500,000 

Local  consumption 50,000,000  “ 2,000,000 

Total 300,000,000  “ $13,500,000 

“ In  addition  to  this,  the  manufacture  of  cigarettes  repre- 
sents from  $3,000,000  to  $4,000,000  per  annum.  However, 
the  importance  of  this  industry  must  not  be  gauged  by  these 
figures,  but  by  the  fact  that  the  proceeds  of  this  industry 
circulate  rapidly  and  give  life  and  movement  to  other  indus- 
tries that  depend  upon  it,  which  in  the  city  of  Havana  alone 
employ  from  18,000  to  20,000  workmen,  who,  with  their 
families,  represent  from  45,000  to  50,000  people. 

We  have  cursorily  glanced  over  its  actual  importance: 
let  us  study  its  future.  Even  if  under  the  auspices  of 
peace,  with  the  adoption  of  proper  measures  for  the  future 
of  the  agriculture  and  production  of  tobacco  a brilliant 
and  promising  future  is  assured,  the  same  cannot  be  said, 
unfortunately,  of  its  industry  and  manufacture.  The 
future  of  the  former  is  most  promising;  it  has  no  rival  in 
the  world  ; there  is  only  one  Vuelta  Abajo  district.  The  lat- 
ter, besides,  handicapped  as  it  is  by  excessive  competition, 


3*4 


Industrial  Cuba 


has  the  insurmountable  obstacle  of  being  taxed  by  the 
treasuries  of  countries  burdened  by  a heavy  national  debt; 
while  other  nations,  like  the  United  States,  levy  heavy 
duties  on  cigars  to  protect  their  national  industry  in  its 
various  phases.  As  a proof  of  what  we  say,  we  call  atten- 
tion to  the  following  figures  showing  the  gradual  decrease 
of  the  manufacture  of  tobacco  in  this  Island,  a decrease 
which  nearly  reaches  fifty  per  cent,  of  normal.  The  follow- 
ing will  show  how  the  exportation  of  cigars  decreased  from 
250,000,000  in  1889  to  123,000,000  in  1897: 

EXPORTATION  OF  CIGARS  IN  NINE  YEARS 


In  1889 250,467,000 

In  1890 211,823,000 

In  1891 196,667,000 

In  1892 166,712,000 

In  1893  147,365,000 

In  1894 134,210,000 

In  1895 158,662,000 

In  1896 185,914,000 

In  1897 123,417,000 


“ On  the  other  hand,  the  exportation  of  leaf  tobacco  has 
increased  fifty  per  cent.;  from  177,000  bales  exported  in 
1889  by  the  port  of  Havana,  the  exports  in  1895  had  in- 
creased to  approximately  250,000  bales.  It  is  easy,  then,  to 
understand  the  actual  condition  of  the  tobacco  industry 
and  its  dependencies,  and  that  of  the  numerous  families 
who  live  by  the  work  that  this  gives  them ; their  future 
cannot  be  promising,  unless  laws  are  immediately  enforced 
to  protect  them  and  raise  them  from  the  abject  state  in 
which  they  find  themselves. 

“ Cause  of  decline.  Besides  the  high  customs  tariffs  on 
imported  cigars  abroad,  among  which  we  may  mention 
those  of  the  Argentine  Republic,  as  well  as  the  internal 
taxes  of  those  countries  where  tobacco  is  a source  of  govern- 
ment revenue,  one  of  the  main  reasons  of  the  decline  of  the 
Cuban  industry  originated  in  the  McKinley  bill,  which 
compelled  many  manufacturers  to  move  their  factories  to 


BALING  TOBACCO. 


Tobacco 


3i5 


the  United  States,  owing  to  the  want  of  protection  on  the 
raw  material,  thereby  causing  a considerable  decrease  in  the 
production  of  the  Island,  and  increasing  in  the  same  pro- 
portion that  of  the  United  States,  in  which  country  the 
manufacture  has  reached  the  enormous  sum  of  5,000,000,000 
cigars  per  annum. 


EXPORTATION  OF  TOBACCO  TO  THE  UNITED  STATES 


In  1889 
In  1890 
In  1891 
In  1892 
In  1893 
In  1894 
In  1895 
In  1896 
In  1897 


101,698,560  cigars $3,970,034 

95,105,760  “ 4,113,730 

52,015,600  “ 2,742,285 

54,472,250  “ 2,859,941 

46,033,660  “ 2,424,425 

40,048,330  “ 2,131,981 

39.579.400  “ 2,050,367 

40,601,750  “ 2,091,856 

34,017,583  “ 1,868,610 


“ Mode  of  protection.  To  protect  and  promote  the  pros- 
perity of  this  industry  it  is  necessary:  1st.  To  maintain  the 
suppression  of  export  duty  on  cigars  ordered  by  the  local 
Government  of  this  Island  on  the  31st  of  last  December, 
both  on  cigars  and  cigarettes  and  packages  of  cut  tobacco, 
as  well  as  on  tobacco  in  fibre  or  powdered,  which  are 
considered  as  industrial  products  thereof. 

“ 2nd.  To  maintain  to  its  full  extent  the  export  duty  on 
leaf  tobacco,  ordered  at  the  same  time,  of  $12  per  100 
kilos  for  that  grown  in  the  provinces  of  the  west  and  centre 
of  the  Island  (Vuelta  Abajo,  Partido,  and  Remedios).  The 
following  data  will  prove  the  justice  of  this  step:  to  manu- 
facture in  the  United  States  1000  cigars  weighing  12  pounds, 
sold  in  Havana,  unstemmed,  25  pounds  of  filler,  and  5 
pounds  of  wrapper,  we  should  arrive  at  the  following  re- 
sults : 


For  export  duty  on  the  leaf  in  Cuba,  30  lbs.  of  leaf  at  $12.00  per  100 


kilos $3.60 

Import  duty  in  the  United  States  on  25  lbs.  of  filler  at  35  cents  each. . 8.70 

“ “ 5 lbs.  wrapper  @ $2  each 10.05 


Total 


$22.35 


3l6  Industrial  Cuba 

The  same  1000  cigars  imported  from  Cuba,  weighing  12  lbs.,  at  $4.50 


per  lb $54.00 

Export  duty  25  per  cent,  ad  valorem,  valued  @ $60  per  thousand 15.00 

Total., $69.00 


making  a difference  of  $46.65  against  our  tobacco. 

“ 3rd.  It  is  also  indispensable  that  the  prohibition  of  im- 
porting and  reimporting  all  tobacco,  whether  prepared  or  in 
leaf,  be  maintained,  and 

“ 4th.  If,  as  is  to  be  hoped,  the  commercial  relations  be- 
tween this  Island  and  the  North  American  Republic  con- 
tinue in  perfect  harmony  and  well  directed,  we  may  soon 
expect  to  have  complete  reciprocity  and  free  exchange  of 
trade.  ” 

In  this  connection  it  will  be  interesting  to  note  the  rela- 
tive importance  of  the  tobacco-producing  countries  of  the 
world.  The  following  table  is  the  latest  and  most  reliable 
obtainable : 


AVERAGE  PRODUCTION  OF  TOBACCO 


Countries.  Product  in  Pounds. 

United  States  of  America 488,000,000 

Mexico 5,600,000 

Cuba 62,000,000 

Puerto  Rico 8,800,000 

Santo  Domingo 8,000,000 

Brazil 33,000,000 

Argentine 6,000,000 

Austria  Hungary 135,000,000 

Russia 110,000,000 

Turkey 80,000,000 

Germany 72,000,000 

France 50,000,000 

Greece 18,000,000 

Belgium 10,000,000 

Roumania 8,000,000 

Bulgaria 7,500,000 

Bosnia 7,000,000 

Netherlands 6,300,000 

Italy 4,000,000 

Switzerland 3,000,000 


Carried  forward, 


1,122,200,000 


Tobacco 


317 


Countries. 

Brought  forward, 

Servia 

Sweden 

Philippine  Islands... 
British  East  Indies. . 
Dutch  “ “ .., 

Japan 

Ceylon 

Cochin  China 

Algiers 

Australia 

China 

Paraguay 

Sundries 


Product  in  Pounds. 
1,122,200,000 
3,000,000 
2,200,000 

45.000. 000 
370,000,000 

66.000. 000 

50.000. 000 

8.000. 000 

6.000. 000 

10.000. 000 

, 10,000,000 

160,000,000 

55,000,000 


1,907,400,000 

Thus  the  primary  cost  of  the  world’s  tobacco  ranges  from 
$200,000,000  to  $225,000,000  per  annum.  It  is  not  in 
quantity  but  in  quality  that  Cuba  leads  the  world. 


CHAPTER  XXII 


MINES  AND  MINING 


HE  first  questions  asked  the  natives  of  Cuba  by  Colum- 


1 bus  and  his  company  concerned  gold  and  silver,  and 
they  heard  many  tales  of  the  riches  of  the  unknown  interior, 
but  all  their  searching  produced  nothing  of  value,  nor  have 
the  succeeding  centuries  added  greatly  to  what  was  first 
discovered.  Some  little  gold  and  silver  was  found,  but  it 
amounted  to  really  nothing,  and  the  mineral  riches  of  the 
Island  remained  hidden  until  1524,  when  copper  was  dis- 
covered near  Santiago  de  Cuba;  and  here  grew  up  the  little 
mining  town  of  Cobre  (copper).  Since  that  date  deposits 
of  asphaltum,  iron,  manganese,  and  salt  have  been  found 
and  have  been  worked,  but  not  as  they  would  have  been  in 
a well  governed  and  progressive  country. 

The  mining  districts  of  Cuba  are  confined  almost  exclu- 
sively to  the  mountainous  or  eastern  end  of  the  Island,  and 
so  far  the  province  of  Santiago  is  the  chief  producer.  Its 
leading  product  is  iron  ore,  mined  principally  by  American 
companies  with  American  corporations.  The  first  real  iron- 
mining in  Cuba  began  about  1884,  when  21,798  tons  were 
shipped  to  the  United  States.  This  was  the  first  Cuban 
iron  ore  received  in  this  country,  and  was  about  one-twenty- 
third  of  the  total  iron  ore  importation.  In  1897  we  received 
397, 1 73  tons  of  Cuban  ore,  which  was  three-fourths  of  the 
ore  imported.  During  the  years  1884-1897  we  received 
3,401,077  tons  of  Cuban  ore. 

The  ore  is  a brown  hematite,  in  large  quantities,  easy  to 
work,  of  excellent  quality,  about  sixty-two  per  cent,  iron, 


318 


OLD  COPPER  MINES  AT  LA  COPERA. 


3T9 


Mines  and  Mining 

and  is  especially  adapted  for  the  making  of  Bessemer  steel. 
Though  there  are  many  mining  properties,  three  American 
companies,  the  Juragua  Iron  Company,  the  Spanish-Ameri- 
can  Iron  Company,  and  the  Sigua  Iron  Company,  do  all  the 
business.  The  Juragua  does  far  more  than  all  the  others. 
Its  shipments  to  the  United  States  in  1897  were  244,817 
(5932  tons,  in  addition,  to  Nova  Scotia)  to  152,356  tons  by 
the  Spanish-American  Company,  which  made  its  first  ship- 
ment in  1895,  and  none  by  the  Sigua  Company,  which  has 
shipped,  in  all,  21,853  tons.  The  Sigua  began  operations 
in  1892,  the  Spanish-American  in  1885,  and  the  Juragua  in 
1884.  In  1897,  the  Spanish-American  Company  shipped 
51,537  tons  to  foreign  countries;  bringing  its  total  output 
for  the  year  up  to  203,893  tons. 

Although  iron  ore  of  the  best  quality  outcrops  in  many 
places  on  the  estates  once  devoted  to  coffee  on  the  southern 
slope  of  the  coast  range,  it  was  not  until  the  year  1881  that 
the  first  claim  was  located,  or  “ denounced.”  Since  then 
more  than  a hundred  locations  have  been  denounced  in  this 
range  (the  Sierra  Maestro),  both  to  the  east  and  the  west  of 
the  city  of  Santiago  de  Cuba.  Of  these  denouncements  the 
most  important,  and  in  fact  the  only  ones  that  have  ever 
been  worked,  are  to  the  east  of  the  city,  covering  a distance 
of  twenty  odd  miles  along  the  range,  a few  miles  in  from  the 
coast.  The  deposit  is  not  continuous,  but  there  are  numer- 
ous separate  deposits  along  this  distance;  some  of  them  very 
extensive. 

In  order  to  encourage  the  mining  of  this  ore,  the  Crown 
of  Spain  issued,  on  the  17th  of  April,  1883,  a royal  decree 
to  the  following  effect : That  for  a period  of  twenty  years 
from  that  date,  the  mining  companies  should  be  free  from 
all  tax  on  the  surface  area  of  all  claims  of  iron  or  combus- 
tibles; that  ores  of  all  classes  should  be  free  from  all  export 
taxes;  that  coal  brought  in  by  mining  companies  for  use  in 
their  work  should  be  free  from  all  import  taxes;  that  com- 
bustibles and  iron  ore  should  be  exempted  from  the  three 
per  cent,  tax  on  raw  materials;  that  mining  and  metallurgi- 


320 


Industrial  Cuba 


cal  companies  should  be  free  from  all  other  impost;  that 
for  a period  of  five  years  the  mining  companies  should  be 
exempt  from  the  payment  of  duties  on  all  machinery  or 
materials  required  for  working  and  transporting  the  ore; 
that  vessels  entering  in  ballast  and  sailing  with  ore  should 
pay  a duty  of  five  cents  per  ton  navigation  dues,  and  that 
vessels  entering  with  cargo  destined  for  the  mining  com- 
panies should  pay  $1.30  per  ton  navigation  and  port  dues 
on  all  such  cargo,  and  on  the  remainder  of  the  cargo  as  per 
general  tariff. 

Under  this  charter  the  Juragua  Iron  Company,  Limited, 
opened  mines  in  Firmeza,  laid  a railroad  twenty  miles  long 
from  that  point  to  La  Cruz  in  Santiago  Bay,  where  fine 
docks  and  piers  were  built,  and,  in  1884,  shipped  the  first 
cargo  of  iron  ore  from  Cuba.  The  company  has  a fine  fleet 
of  iron  steamers.  The  mines  of  this  company  were  exten- 
sively and  successfully  worked,  and,  encouraged  by  this,  the 
Spanish-American  Company  and  the  Sigua  Company  pur- 
chased mines  to  the  east  of  the  Juragua  properties  and  at 
once  began  the  work  of  developing  them. 

The  Spanish-American  Iron  Company,  incorporated  under 
the  laws  of  West  Virginia,  and  owned  entirely  by  American 
citizens,  built  four  miles  of  standard-gauge  railroad  from  its 
mines  to  Daiquiri  Bay,  about  sixteen  miles  east  of  the  har- 
bour of  Santiago  de  Cuba.  Here  the  company  constructed 
a steel  ore-dock  of  3000  tons  capacity,  a landing-pier,  buoys, 
moorings,  and  other  harbour  improvements  at  a cost  of 
$500,000.  The  work  of  preparing  this  harbour  delayed  the 
opening  of  the  mines  for  shipment,  and  it  was  not  until 
May,  1895,  that  the  first  cargo  was  cleared. 

The  Sigua  Iron  Company  built  a standard-gauge  road 
nine  miles  long  from  its  mines  to  Sigua  Bay,  and  there 
constructed  a breakwater  and  a wooden  ore-dock.  This 
company  during  the  first  two  years  of  operation  shipped 
21,853  tons.  Later,  the  mines  were  closed,  and  during  the 
war  between  Spain  and  the  Cubans  the  dock,  roundhouse, 
locomotives,  and  buildings  of  the  company  at  Sigua  Bay 


321 


Mines  and  Mining 


were  entirely  destroyed  in  the  course  of  an  engagement  be- 
tween the  Spanish  and  the  Cuban  forces. 

The  Spanish-American  Iron  Company  and  the  Juragua 
Iron  Company  remained  in  operation  during  the  entire  war 
between  Spain  and  Cuba,  and,  although  located  at  the  ex- 
treme outpost  of  the  Spanish  troops,  with  Cuban  forces  in 
the  immediate  vicinity,  maintained  throughout  a strict 
neutrality,  and  continued  shipping  ore  until  they  were 
closed  by  order  of  the  Spanish  authorities,  after  the  declara- 
tion of  war  between  the  United  States  and  Spain. 

The  three  companies,  which  are  the  only  ones  that  have 
ever  operated  mines  in  the  province,  represent  an  investment 
of  American  capital  of  about  $8,000,000,  and  the  two  still 
operating  have  paid  into  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States 
more  than  $2,000,000  in  import  duties  on  iron  ore.  The 
following  table  shows  the  production  of  iron  ore  in  the 
province  from  1884  to  1897: 


Years. 

Production. 

Juragua 

Company. 

Spanish- 
American  Iron 
Company. 

Sigua  Iron 
Company. 

Total  Tons. 

1884 

23.977 

23,977 

1885 

80,095 

80,095 

1886 

1 10,880 

no,88o 

1887 

94,810 

94,810 

1888 

204,475 

204,475 

1889 

255,406 

255,406 

1890 

356,060 

356,060 

1891 

261,620 

261,620 

1892 

320,859 

320,859 

1893  

334,341 

12,000 1 

346,341 

1894  

153,650 

153,650 

1895 

302,050 

74,992 

377,041 

1896 

291,561 

114,110 

405.671 

1897 

246,530 

206,029 

452,559 

Total 

3,036,314 

395,131 

1 

3,443,444 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  none  of  the  mines  are  worked 
underground.  The  ore  outcrops  on  the  sidehills,  and  the 
1 Complete  figures  not  obtainable. 


2X 


322 


Industrial  Cuba 


mining  is  in  the  nature  of  quarrying.  Daiquiri,  the  port  of 
the  Spanish-American  Company,  is  the  point  at  which 
General  Shafter’s  army  landed ; and  the  dock,  pier,  moor- 
ing, buoys,  and  water  supply  of  the  place  were  of  great 
value  to  the  army  and  to  the  vessels  of  the  navy.  The 
Spanish  forces  who  abandoned  Daiquiri  when  the  United 
States  troops  landed,  set  fire  to  the  shops,  roundhouse, 
docks,  pier,  warehouse,  and  cars  of  the  company.  Through 
the  efforts  of  the  company’s  men,  who  were  waiting  in  the 
hills  and  who  returned  as  soon  as  the  bombardment  ceased, 
the  fire  was  partly  extinguished  ; but  the  locomotives,  shops, 
some  cars,  and  a number  of  buildings  were  a total  loss. 
The  hospital  buildings  and  a number  of  dwellings  at  Daiquiri 
were  afterwards  burned  by  order  of  the  United  States  offi- 
cers commanding.  At  Siboney,  the  Juragua  Company’s 
village,  a number  of  buildings  were  also  burned  by  order  of 
the  United  States  officers  in  command. 

Rich  deposits  of  iron  ore  of  several  varieties  are  found  in 
the  provinces  of  Santa  Clara  and  Puerto  Principe,  and  some 
work  has  been  done  in  developing,  but  the  war  put  an  end 
to  it. 

The  following  list  of  the  mining  properties,  all  in  the 
province  of  Santiago,  with  the  number  of  acres,  condition, 
etc.,  may  be  useful  as  reference: 


Dorothea  and  Recrio. . . . 

Carpintero 

Bayamitas 

Guama 

Cuero 

De  la  Plata 

Uvera  and  Jaqueca 

Berracoe 

Cajobaba 

Economia 

Providencia 

Madalena 

Demajobo 

Juragua  Group 

Sevilla 


4 mines,  300  acres For  sale 


9 

1300  “ 

5 

925  “ 

6 

950  “ 

6 

760  “ 

9 

975  “ 

12 

1557  “ 

4 

502  “ 

8 

— 

19 

2650  “ 

it 

3 

— 

tt 

8 

IOOO  “ 

4 “ 

I 

150  “ 

t i 

17 

2500  “ 

II 

1300  “ 

• 4 

MINING  CAMP  AT  FIRENEZA. 


Mines  and  Mining  323 

All  these  mining  properties  are  from  two  hundred  to 
fifteen  hundred  feet  above  the  sea,  and  though  the  climate 
is  hot,  the  region  is  not  affected  by  fevers  or  malaria,  and  it 
may  be  said  to  be  the  most  healthful  section  of  the  Island. 
This  location  is  excellent  for  mining  and  shipping  also, 
being  from  five  to  sixty  miles  from  Santiago ; and  nearly 
all  of  the  properties  have  excellent  outlets  to  the  sea  or  are 
conveniently  located  to  rail  facilities.  Nature  as  usual  in 
Cuba  has  done  her  share,  except  in  the  production  of  man, 
and  the  most  serious  drawback  to  mining  is  the  want  of 
proper  labour.  The  whites,  except  of  the  Latin  races,  are 
not  equal  to  the  work,  and  the  blacks  are  inefficient  as  com- 
pared with  the  same  class  of  labour  in  higher  latitudes.  The 
labour  problem  here,  as  in  all  other  Cuban  industrial  fields, 
is  the  most  serious  which  confronts  capital,  and  its  solution 
is  to  be  reached  only  after  careful  study  and  continued  ex- 
periment. All  kinds  of  suggestions  have  been  offered  and 
many  of  them  acted  upon;  but  so  far  the  problem  is  un- 
solved, and  now  capital  looks  most  to  the  Latin  races  of 
Europe  and  the  black  race  of  the  United  States  for  assist- 
ance out  of  its  difficulties.  What  inducements  new  Cuba 
offers  to  these  people  remains  to  be  seen,  but  it  is  apparent 
that  capital  must  do  more  in  Cuba  for  labour,  if  it  will  secure 
what  is  best,  than  is  done  for  it  in  those  parts  of  the  world 
where  climate,  disease,  and  social  environments  do  not  lay 
additional  burdens  upon  the  “ hewers  of  wood  and  the 
drawers  of  water.” 

Manganese,  which  is  an  essential  raw  material  in  the 
manufacture  of  Bessemer  and  open-hearth  steel,  is  found  in 
greater  or  less  quantities  in  the  province  of  Santiago  de 
Cuba.  The  deposits  lie  in  the  San  Maestro  range  on  the 
south  coast,  extending  over  a distance  of  one  hundred  miles 
between  Santiago  and  Manzanillo.  As  the  demand  in  the 
United  States  for  manganese  was  far  in  excess  of  the  native 
supply,  and  the  nearest  known  mines  were  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  the  Black  Sea  in  Europe  and  in  the  northern  part 
of  South  America,  attention  was  at  once  drawn  to  the 


324 


Industrial  Cuba 


Cuban  deposits  and  one  American  company  was  formed, 
known  as  the  Panupo  Iron  Company,  sixteen  miles  north  of 
Santiago,  with  a railroad  extending  to  that  point.  Other 
companies  also  began  work,  and  the  shipments  from  1890 
to  1893  inclusive  amounted  to  62,601  tons.  In  1894  there 
was  none,  and  in  1895-96  the  total  shipments  were  750  tons. 
This  decrease  in  business  was  due,  in  some  measure,  to  low  1 
prices  and  to  other  causes  than  the  insurrection  and  war,  but 
that  was  the  prime  factor  in  the  cause  of  the  decrease,  be- 
cause already,  with  the  promise  of  peace,  mining  has  been 
resumed,  with  every  prospect  of  continued  increase  and 
prosperity.  Though  only  comparatively  small  efforts  have 
as  yet  been  made  to  develop  the  capacity  of  these  mines, 
numerous  properties  have  been  staked  off,  and  it  is  estimated 
that  there  are  eighty-eight  manganese  mines  in  sight  along 
the  San  Maestro  range.  The  appended  list  names  some  of 
them : 


Hatillo 

400  acres 

Cobre 

425  “ ... 

. . .$50,000  refused 

Macio 

4345  “ ••• 

Ramas 

3 “ 

330  “ ... 

San  Andres 

5 “ 

440  “ 

Santa  Filomena 

300  “ 

Bueycito 

Portillo 

700  acres  . . 

Boniato 

472  “ 

Dos  Bocas 

905  “ 

Margarita 

1077  “ 

Quemado 

....  5 “ 

322  “ 

Boston 

San  Juan 

665  “ 

In  the  majority  of  these,  no  active  mining  operations  have 
been  carried  on.  Whatever  conditions  of  taxation,  duties, 
and  other  expenses  on  the  production  of  manganese  existed 
previously  have  been  changed  by  the  war,  and  entirely  new 
conditions  are  presented  now  for  the  continuance  of  the 
work.  It  is  believed  that  the  mines  are  practically  inex- 
haustible, and  that  the  metal,  while  varying  considerably  in 


Mines  and  Mining  325 

quantity,  is  in  the  main  high  grade  and  can  be  mined  and 
shipped  at  prices  which  will  extend  the  industry  until  the 
United  States  steel  manufacturers  will  get  their  entire 
manganese  supply  from  this  nearest  known  manganese 
district. 

Copper.  It  is  believed  that  the  natives  mined  copper 
long  before  Columbus  discovered  the  Island,  for  copper 
ornaments  have  been  found,  not  only  in  Cuba,  but  in 
Florida,  long  antedating  1492.  Whatever  may  have  been 
true  of  prehistoric  periods,  it  is  known  that  the  mines  at 
Cobre  in  the  province  of  Santiago  de  Cuba  were  opened 
as  early  as  1524  and  became  the  greatest  copper-produc- 
ing mines  of  the  world.  As  high  as  fifty  tons  of  ore  a 
day  have  been  mined  from  them.  Some  of  these  mines 
were  sunk  to  the  distance  of  nine  hundred  to  twelve  hun- 
dred feet.  Before  the  development  of  the  great  copper  de- 
posits in  the  United  States,  this  country  received  the  output 
of  the  Cuban  mines,  which  were  worked  by  English  capital. 
From  1828  to  1840  between  two  million  and  three  million 
dollars’  worth  of  copper  was  annually  shipped  to  this  country, 
besides  shipments  to  other  countries.  Owing  to  the  fact 
that  below  three  hundred  feet  these  mines  were  beneath  the 
level  of  the  sea,  the  pumping  problem  was  difficult  of  solu- 
tion and  expensive,  and  at  last,  in  1867,  this  hindrance, 
combined  with  the  development  of  copper  deposits  in  the 
United  States,  which  cut  prices  materially,  stopped  work. 
The  shafts  filled  with  water  and  have  remained  so.  The 
only  work  that  has  been  done  was  an  attempt  by  a Cuban 
company  to  work  the  copper  found  in  solution  in  the  water. 
It  is  believed  that  there  are  still  rich  and  valuable  deposits 
of  copper  in  this  section  and  that  the  time  will  come  when 
the  red  glory  of  Cobre  will  again  be  restored  to  its  ancient 
prestige. 

Gold  and  silver.  Some  discoveries  of  gold  have  been 
made  in  various  parts  of  Cuba  and  in  the  Isle  of  Pines,  and 
some  placer  mining  has  been  done  along  a few  of  the  rivers, 
but  it  is  believed  that  the  quantity  found  will  scarcely  justify 


Industrial  Cuba 


326 

the  opinion  that  Cuban  gold  will  ever  make  much  of  a show- 
ing in  the  world’s  product  of  the  yellow  metal.  Silver  ap- 
pears far  better.  Deposits  have  been  found  in  the  provinces 
of  Santa  Clara,  Puerto  Principe,  and  Santiago.  Some  silver 
has  also  been  found  in  other  parts  of  the  Island  and  on  the 
Isle  of  Pines.  As  early  as  1827  silver  was  mined  in  the 
Manicaragua  district,  province  of  Santa  Clara,  said  to  yield 
seventy-five  ounces  per  ton;  and  near  the  town  of  Santa 
Clara  deposits  yielding  $200  per  ton  were  prospected  fifty 
years  ago.  In  the  lead  mines  of  Santiago  de  Cuba,  some 
silver  has  been  found  yielding  nineteen  ounces  to  the  ton. 
More  work  was  done  in  the  Santa  Clara  mines  than  else- 
where; in  fact  little  has  been  done  in  any  of  them,  but  the 
deposits  in  Santa  Clara  did  not  continue  of  sufficient  rich- 
ness to  pay  for  working  them,  and  in  recent  years  nothing 
has  been  done  in  Cuban  silver  mining.  Reaching  a conclu- 
sion by  way  of  the  geology  of  Cuba  and  of  the  other  West 
Indian  islands,  it  may  be  safely  predicted  that  the  prosper- 
ity which  is  promised  for  Cuba,  and  which  is  sure  to  come 
soon,  will  raise  the  Cuban  silver  mines  to  their  former 
productiveness. 

Lead.  This  metal,  reported  to  exist  in  several  localities, 
has  had  no  development  save  in  Santiago  de  Cuba,  where 
two  or  three  mines  have  been  opened.  One  of  them  shows 
a twenty-inch  vein,  forty-six  per  cent,  copper,  with  some 
silver  and  zinc  and  a trace  of  gold.  The  mines  so  far  have 
been  opened  by  American  “ boomers”  for  the  purpose  of 
bringing  the  properties  into  notice. 

Coal.  A serious  deficiency  in  Cuban  products  is  mineral 
fuel;  and  although  coal  is  said  to  exist  and,  again,  said  not 
to  exist  on  the  Island,  Mr.  Frederick  W.  Ramsden,  late 
British  Consul  at  Santiago,  made  the  following  report  in 
1895: 

“A  deposit  of  coal  has  been  found  at  five  leagues  of  the  Dos 
Caminos  railway  station,  or  about  fifteen  leagues  north-north-west 
of  Santiago.  A sample  sent  to  the  United  States  analysed  as 
follows  : 


ORE  BANK  OF  JURAGUA  MINES. 


Mines  and  Mining 


327 


Per  Cent.  Remarks. 


Moisture 13.20  Specific  gravity  1.368. 

Volatile  combustible 49.20  One  cubic  yard  weighs  2303  pounds. 

Half  sulphur 47.76 

Fixed  carbon 28.48  This  sample  is  fairly  black,  and  when  pow- 

dered it  contains  visible  layers  of  pyrites 
and  no  appreciable  bitumen. 

Half  sulphur 27.04 

Ash 9.12 

Sulphur 2.88 


“ I understand,  however,  that  since  this  sample  was  taken  the 
mines  have  been  partially  opened  up  and  a better  class  of  coal 
found  lower  down.  No  estimate  has  been  formed  as  to  the 
quantity  of  coal  there,  as  no  investigations  have  so  far  been  made 
with  this  object.  I am  informed,  however,  that  the  geological 
formation  is  favourable.” 

Some  of  the  coal  reported  in  other  sections  of  the  Island 
proves  to  be  either  a lignite  or  a hardened  bitumen.  Pos- 
sibly workable  deposits  of  coal  exist  somewhere,  and  efforts 
will  be  made  to  explore  thoroughly  every  locality  where 
there  is  the  slightest  coal  prospect,  as  so  much  depends  in 
the  development  of  manufacturing  industries  upon  contigu- 
ous and  cheap  fuel. 

Asphaltum.  Asphaltum  appears  to  be  a very  general 
product  of  the  Island  and  of  the  water  along  its  shores.  De- 
posits of  it  show  in  every  province,  in  some  localities  in 
inexhaustible  quantities;  the  deposits  at  Cardenas  and  Santa 
Clara  take  the  lead  in  development.  As  much  as  ten  thou- 
sand tons  a year  have  been  shipped  from  Santa  Clara.  At 
and  near  Cardenas  the  deposits  are  found  in  the  bottom  of 
the  bay,  and  the  method  of  securing  it  is  peculiar.  A shaft 
eighty  feet  or  more  in  depth  below  the  surface  extends  into 
the  sea-bottom  ; and  into  this  the  asphalt  runs  or  filters.  It 
is  supposed  that  the  supply  is  brought  from  the  interior 
through  the  subterranean  rivers  which  prevail  in  this  local- 
ity,— from  which,  indeed,  Cardenas  gets  its  water  supply. 
Over  this  shaft  the  ship  is  anchored  ; from  her  deck  a heavy 
bar  of  iron  attached  to  a rope  is  dropped,  and  the  asphalt  is 


328 


Industrial  Cuba 


broken  from  the  sides  of  the  shaft  and  falls  to  the  bottom, 
where  it  is  scooped  up  into  a net  and  loaded  into  the  vessel. 
As  this  work  has  been  going  on  for  years  and  the  asphalt 
replenishes  itself  constantly,  it  is  fair  to  suppose  that  the  run 
will  go  on  for  ever.  It  is  of  such  quality  as  to  be  worth  from 
$80  to  $125  per  ton  in  New  York,  and  a ship  has  gathered  as 
much  as  three  hundred  tons  in  three  weeks.  This  and  two 
other  mines,  of  not  such  good  quality,  are  immediately  in  the 
bay  of  Cardenas;  and  near  Diana  Key  is  the  great  Constan- 
cia  mine,  covering  a circumference  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
or  more  feet,  from  which  twenty  thousand  tons  have  been 
taken ; yet  there  is  no  diminution  in  the  quality  of  the  de- 
posit. There  are  several  other  smaller  deposits  in  this  local- 
ity. As  asphalt  is  so  general  in  Cuba  and  the  mines  are  so 
generous  in  their  yield,  even  under  the  crude  methods 
adopted,  it  is  only  to  be  concluded  that  the  asphaltum  in- 
dustry of  the  Island  has  a bright  outlook;  and  when  it  is 
understood  what  a fine  paving  material  asphalt  is,  and  how 
greatly  paving  is  needed  in  the  streets  of  Cuban  towns,  it 
seems  to  be  almost  providential  that  so  sore  a need  has 
healing  so  close  at  hand,  demanding  only  enlightenment  and 
energy  to  apply  it. 

Quicksilver  is  known  to  exist,  though  in  small  quantities, 
and  as  yet  not  enough  has  been  found  to  pay  for  the  work- 
ing. Nickel  is  also  said  to  exist.  Petroleum  is  found  in 
several  parts  of  the  Island,  and  in  and  near  Manzanillo  it 
comes  out  of  the  ground  and  rocks  in  a remarkably  pure 
state.  Natural  gas  may  yet  be  found,  for  a gasoline  mine 
near  Santa  Clara  clearly  indicates  its  presence.  Marble  of 
fine  quality  is  reported  in  the  Isle  of  Pines  and  in  a number 
of  localities  in  Cuba,  but  its  superiority  may  be  slightly 
doubted,  as  its  grain  is  somewhat  coarse  and  it  lacks  the 
proper  density.  The  same  may  be  said  of  such  building 
stone  as  has  been  thus  far  produced.  However,  so  very 
little  has  been  done  in  developing  any  of  these  products  and 
giving  them  fair  tests,  that  definite  conclusions  as  to  quan- 
tity and  quality  cannot  be  justly  reached  at  present. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 


AGRICULTURE  AND  STOCK 

DATA  of  any  kind  on  the  farming  interests  of  Cuba  are 
difficult  to  collect,  and  those  obtained  are,  as  a rule, 
meagre,  indefinite,  and  unsatisfactory.  Statements  vary  as 
to  the  acreage  under  cultivation,  estimates  vary  from  2,000,- 
000  to  9,000,000  of  acres.  One  writer  says  there  are  100,- 
000  farms,  plantations,  and  cattle  ranches  in  the  Island, 
valued  at  $20,000,000;  and  Cabrera,  in  1862,  gives  these 
figures:  18  cocoa  plantations,  35  cotton  plantations,  782 
coffee  plantations,  1523  sugar  plantations,  1731  bee  farms, 
2712  stock  farms,  6175  cattle  ranches,  1 1,541  tobacco  planta- 
tions, 11,738  truck  farms,  and  22,748  produce  farms,  a total 
of  59,001.  Spanish  official  figures  show  a total  of  37,702 
farms,  cattle  ranches,  sugar,  tobacco,  and  coffee  plantations. 
What  these  properties  may  be  worth  or  valued  at  now  can- 
not be  stated  ; but  before  the  war  their  value  might  be  fairly 
estimated  at  from  $275,000,000  to  $300,000,000. 

The  Cuban  farmer,  despite  what  nature  had  done  for  him 
in  climate  and  soil,  was  never  equal  to  his  opportunities. 
True,  the  mother  country,  by  taxation,  had  kept  him  over- 
burdened with  debt,  and  by  not  giving  him  the  benefit  of 
progressive  ideas  had  forced  him  to  use  only  the  most  primi- 
tive implements  and  farm  machinery.  When  he  used  these 
at  all,  they  were  of  Spanish  manufacture,  the  worst  in  the 
world  ; but  even  under  such  adverse  circumstances  he  might 
have  done  much  better  than  he  did.  That  he  did  not  is  due 
largely  to  himself,  for  indeed  there  are  thrifty  Cuban  farmers, 
who  have  good  farms  and  do  as  well  as  farmers  anywhere, 

329 


330 


Industrial  Cuba 


all  things  considered.  But  they  are  not  in  a majority.  As 
one  evidence  of  the  general  lack  of  thrift,  the  Cubans  im- 
ported from  the  United  States  in  1893,  a good  year,  animal 
products  (largely  hogs),  worth  $5,718,101;  bread  stuffs, 
$3, 164,541  ; provisions  other  than  the  foregoing,  $1,315,097 ; 
a total  value  of  over  $10,000,000,  all  of  which  except,  pos- 
sibly, wheat  flour,  might  have  been  raised  at  home,  with  a 
fair  amount  of  care  and  industry,  under  a decent  govern- 
ment. 

While  all  parts  of  the  Island  are  not  adapted  to  such 
agricultural  development  as  is  found  in  higher  latitudes, 
nearly  all  the  products  of  northern  soil  may  be  grown  in 
Cuba.  Our  common  corn  is  very  generally  raised,  on  the 
uplands  especially,  and  two  crops  of  it  will  grow  yearly.  It 
is  smaller  than  the  corn  of  the  north,  but  is  said  to  be  more 
nutritious.  It  is  fed  to  stock  in  the  ear  and  as  fodder. 
Wheat  growing  has  never  been  attempted  to  any  extent, 
and  while  the  lowlands  are  impossible  for  it,  in  the  mount- 
ain regions,  according  to  theory,  it  might  be  accomplished 
successfully.  However,  all  the  chances  are  against  Cuba’s 
entering  the  wheat  market  against  Minnesota  and  the 
Dakotas.  Oats  and  barley  are  not  in  the  list  of  Cuban  pro- 
ducts. A great  deal  of  rice  is  raised  in  the  lowlands  along 
the  coast;  but  the  Cubans  are  great  rice  eaters  and  none  is 
exported.  A careful  handling  of  the  Cuban  rice  crop  would 
bring  it  into  the  markets  of  the  United  States. 

Although,  to  insure  good  quality,  seed  potatoes  must  be 
brought  to  Cuba  each  year  from  the  United  States,  the 
crops  raised  are  enormous,  and  they  come  twice  a year. 
We  do  not  get  new  potatoes  from  Cuba  in  the  spring,  but 
there  is  no  reason  why  we  should  not,  if  the  farmer  will 
raise  them  for  export.  The  Cuban  potato  is  worth  consider- 
ably more  in  Havana  than  those  imported.  The  sweet 
potato  grows  everywhere  and  anywhere,  and  is  not  only  of 
great  quantity  but  good  quality.  To  Cuba  it  is  almost 
what  the  white  potato  is  to  Ireland.  The  yam,  another  and 
larger  form  of  the  sweet  potato,  is  prolific  and  prevalent.  It 


Agriculture  and  Stock  33 1 

is  not  cultivated  for  exportation.  In  fact  it  can  scarcely  be 
said  to  be  cultivated  at  all  in  Cuba,  so  common  is  the 
growth. 

Beans  are  an  article  of  import  into  Cuba,  and  the  people 
consume  great  quantities  of  them,  yet  every  variety  of  bean 
grows  there  rankly,  and  that  they  are  not  grown  not  only  to 
meet  the  home  demands  but  for  export  as  well,  is  simply 
because  of  a lack  of  industry  in  their  cultivation.  Aspara- 
gus may  be  grown  and  greatly  improved,  as  that  now  pro- 
duced is  small  and  inferior.  Beets,  as  far  as  produced,  show 
that  by  proper  cultivation  they  might  become  a leading 
product.  Cabbage,  too,  is  so  neglected  that  it  is  imported 
to  meet  the  demand  that  Cuba  easily  could  supply.  Water- 
cress of  good  quality  grows  along  most  of  the  streams. 
Spinach  is  found  in  the  home  market-gardens,  but  none  is 
raised  beyond  that.  The  sago  palm,  furnishing  sago  flour, 
is  neglected  though  it  grows  in  profusion.  Radishes  grow  all 
the  year.  Two  crops  a year  of  fine  peanuts  might  be  pro- 
duced, but  not  enough  for  export  are  raised.  So  far  the 
Cuban  onion,  though  it  flourishes  with  very  little  cultivation, 
is  not  in  competition  with  the  Bermuda  onion,  so  popular 
in  American  markets.  Lettuce  is  perennial  and  of  the  best 
quality.  The  cucumber  is  another  vegetable  growing  pro- 
fusely but  never  exported.  Yuca  is  a root  much  used  in 
place  of  potatoes.  It  is  rendered  palatable  by  pressure  or 
by  cooking.  The  sweet  variety  is  used  raw  as  a table  vege- 
table. Bitter  cassabe  flour,  made  from  yuca,  when  parched 
in  pellets,  is  known  as  tapioca,  and  is  a popular  edible  in 
various  forms  of  soups,  puddings,  etc.,  in  northern  coun- 
tries. Celery,  which  is  found  in  the  local  gardens,  is  inferior 
by  reason  of  neglect.  Millet  is  raised  for  local  fowl  food. 

Cotton,  although  it  is  mentioned  as  an  agricultural  pro- 
duct of  Cuba,  is  only  a possibility,  for  its  cultivation  has 
been  so  slightly  attempted  as  scarcely  to  warrant  an  opinion 
of  what  may  be  done  in  its  cultivation.  Sea-island  cotton, 
which  is  of  famous  excellence  in  the  United  States,  may  be 
raised  along  the  Cuban  coasts;  and  there  is  no  known  reason 


332 


Industrial  Cuba 


why  the  general  cultivation  of  cotton  would  not  be  fairly 
profitable.  Whether  or  not  it  may  be  developed  under  the 
new  order  remains  to  be  seen. 

The  indigo  plant  grows  easily,  but  it  has  never  been  cul- 
tivated profitably.  The  future  may  bring  to  its  producers 
more  knowledge  and  better  methods  than  the  past  has 
known. 

Grasses  grow  rankly  almost  anywhere  in  the  Island.  In 
the  province  of  Pinar  del  Rio  one  variety  grows  to  the 
height  of  six  feet;  another  is  a bunch  grass  similar  to  our 
species.  Of  these  two  grasses  stock  is  very  fond,  but  a 
third  variety  has  such  sharp  edges  that  stock  cannot  eat  it. 
Little  of  this  grass  is  used  as  hay,  and  the  hay  crop  has  not 
been  of  especial  significance  in  Cuban  agricultural  products, 
but  it  might  well  be,  if  it  were  given  proper  cultivation  and 
care. 

The  fibre  plants  of  Cuba  are  numerous,  and  many  of  them 
are  of  the  best  quality;  moreover,  they  grow  upon  soil  not 
very  useful  for  any  other  purpose.  The  best  known  of  them 
are  the  henequin,  lanseveria,  and  lengua  de  vaca.  The 
first  produces  from  twenty-five  to  thirty  leaves  a year  for 
twelve  years,  each  leaf  from  five  to  nine  feet  long,  weighing 
from  four  to  seven  pounds. 

So  far  as  Spanish  statistics  may  be  correct,  there  were  in 
Cuba  in  1891  a total  of  2,485,768  cattle  of  all  kinds;  but  at 
the  close  of  the  war  in  August,  1898,  it  was  estimated  by 
American  stockmen,  who  were  apprised  of  the  condition  of 
affairs  throughout  the  Island,  that  not  over  75,000  head 
were  left.  For  a number  of  years  past,  owing  to  excessive 
import  duties  and  other  exactions,  shipments  of  cattle  to 
Cuba  have  been  kept  far  below  the  demand,  not  only  for 
working,  but  for  slaughtering  purposes;  and  as  the  Cubans 
raised  few  cattle,  though  every  natural  condition  of  climate, 
forage,  and  water  was  favourable  to  grazing,  there  was  never 
a surplus  to  meet  any  emergency.  Therefore  the  result 
was  that,  when  the  war  came  the  ports  were  blockaded  and 
no  new  supplies  could  be  brought  in,  the  people,  as  well  as 


AN  OX  CART. 


333 


Agriculture  and  Stock 

the  soldiers,  had  to  be  fed,  and  the  cattle  were  slaughtered 
indiscriminately.  It  should  be  stated  here  that  just  prior 
to  the  war,  cattle  were  admitted  free,  and  the  imports, 
chiefly  from  South  American  countries,  reached  from  70,- 
000  to  80,000  head  per  month.  These  were  nearly  all  beef 
cattle.  From  August,  1897,  to  May,  1898,  83,868  head  of 
cattle  were  received  at  Havana,  of  which  37,129  came  from 
the  United  States.  These  cattle  came  chiefly  from  Texas, 
Florida,  Alabama,  Georgia,  and  Louisiana,  for  southern 
cattle  are  much  better  suited  to  the  Cuban  climate  and  con- 
ditions than  northern  or  western  cattle.  The  fact  that  cattle 
are  bought  by  weight  in  the  United  States  and  sold  by  the 
head  in  Cuba  has  been  against  the  American  stockmen. 

From  a report  of  a dealer  in  Havana,  under  date  of  Octo- 
ber 5,  1898,  these  extracts  are  made: 

“ The  average  of  cattle  weighs  about  seven  hundred  pounds, 
for  which  I get  between  $32  and  $48.  On  these  I have  to  pay 
all  the  freight  and  customs  charges,  etc.,  so  that  by  the  time  that 
the  meat  gets  into  the  butcher’s  shop,  it  is  up  to  about  42  cents 
silver  (say  38  cents  gold)  per  pound,  although  it  is  the  same  that 
costs  in  the  United  States  from  3 to  3^  cents.  Cottonseed-fed 
steers  give  between  sixty-five  and  seventy  per  cent,  of  meat,  nett  ; 
grass-fed  cattle  from  the  United  States  only  nett  fifty  per  cent. 
Tampico  cattle  give  only  about  fifty  per  cent.  There  is  no  ad- 
vantage in  selling  good  cattle  in  Cuba,  as  they  buy  these  by  the 
head.  On  my  St.  Louis  cattle  I lost  money,  they  weighing  about 
fifteen  hundred  pounds  and  costing  in  the  United  States  about 
$65,  and  I sold  them  for  about  $52.  A good  team  (yoke)  of 
oxen  for  working  purposes  is  worth  between  seven  and  eight 
onzas  (an  onza  equalling  $17),  and  I give  a statement  of  what  it 
costs  to  get  such  a team  into  Cuba  ” : 


Cost  in  Texas  for  one  team  of  oxen $90.00 

Freight  to  Havana 14.00 

Exchange 1 1.40 

Duty 20.00 

Risk,  about  five  per  cent 5.00 


$140.40 


334 


Industrial  Cuba 


“ Milk  cows  in  Cuba  are  worth  from  $60  to  $80  each  and  cost 


as  follows  : 

Cow  costs  in  United  States,  with  calf $40.00 

Freight  for  the  two 8.50 

Exchange 2.50 

Duty:  cow,  $S,  calf,  $4  12.00 

Risk 2.50 


$65.50 

“ The  food  of  cattle  for  the  trip  from  the  United  States  to 
Cuba  costs  about  fifteen  cents  a head.  We  pay  an  extra  twenty- 
five  cents  a head  for  the  attention.” 

Though  Cuban  estimates  of  the  Island’s  cattle  capacity 
are  fanciful  and  unreliable  (one  estimate  sets  the  “ untilled 
land  for  cattle  raising  ” at  28,300,000  acres,  every  acre  of 
which  when  tilled  will  support  at  least  one  head),  it  is  an 
undeniable  fact  that  within  a few  years,  by  ordinary  care  in 
the  selection  and  handling  of  stock,  Cuba  will  be  in  a posi- 
tion to  export  cattle.  The  fact  is  worthy  of  American 
stockmen’s  attention  that  at  least  a million  cattle  of  all 
kinds,  for  breeding,  beef,  and  work,  are  needed  in  Cuba, 
that  the  best  cattle  so  far  received  in  Cuba  have  come  from 
the  United  States,  and  that  by  contiguity  and  sentiment  the 
United  States  is  first  choice  against  all  South  and  Central 
American  and  Mexican  competitors.  It  is  as  well  worthy 
of  the  attention  of  the  Government  authorities  that  in  re- 
stocking the  Island  with  cattle,  careful  and  scientific  atten- 
tion should  be  given  to  the  class  of  cattle  used  for  breeding 
purposes  in  order  that  the  very  best  results  be  obtained. 
The  estimate  of  a million  head  to  meet  the  immediate  de- 
mands may  seem  to  be  large,  but  when  wre  come  to  consider 
that  one  sugar  plantation  of  3000  acres  requires  from  250  to 
400  yoke  of  working  cattle,  not  to  mention  cows  and  beef 
cattle, — and  that  there  are  thousands  of  sugar  and  tobacco 
plantations,  besides  other  thousands  of  farms  of  various 
kinds, — and  ox-carts  for  general  transportation  all  over  the 
Island,  it  will  be  seen  that  a million  head  will  be  scarcely 
enough. 


A FOWL  VENDOR. 


335 


Agriculture  and  Stock 

“ Jerked  beef  ” has  been  an  important  article  of  import 
into  Cuba,  and  it  may  become  still  more  so  in  the  future,  as 
Texas,  with  its  millions  of  cattle,  has  a climate  peculiarly 
adapted  to  the  preparation  of  this  form  of  beef  product. 
On  this  subject  a report  made  by  Mr.  Modesto  Trelles  of 
Cienfuegos,  under  date  of  September  19,  1898,  may  be  of 
more  than  passing  interest : 

“The  Island  of  Cuba  has  about  twenty-eight  million  acres  of 
land.  Under  cultivation,  producing  sugar  cane,  there  are  1,980,- 
000  acres,  about  1,000,000  in  roads,  towns,  etc.,  and  1,500,000 
acres  of  fallow  land.  The  cattle  here  pay  consumption  duty  of 
5^  cents  per  kilo.  The  jerked  beef  pays  $3.96  import  duty,  per 
hundred  kilos.  The  import  duty  on  each  head  of  cattle  is  $8. 
The  consumption  tax  $5.50  a head.  Buenos  Ayres  has  been 
sending  about  500,000  head  of  cattle  to  Cuba  in  the  shape  of 
jerked  beef.  The  reason  of  this  is  a treaty  between  Spain  and 
Buenos  Ayres,  obliging  the  latter  to  take  in  Spanish  wines,  in  lieu 
of  which  provision  Cuba  was  to  import  jerked  beef.  We  have, 
therefore,  been  importing  jerked  beef  to  the  extent  of  500,000 
head  of  cattle,  owing  to  the  advantages  given  Buenos  Ayres. 
One  of  the  secrets  of  this  great  importation  has  been  that  in  the 
first  place,  when  the  Cuban  merchant  called  for  jerked  beef,  he 
went  directly  to  Spain  for  it.  Certain  Spaniards  sent  a ship 
from  Barcelona  to  Buenos  Ayres,  loaded  with  wine,  etc.,  from 
which  point  the  ship  came  here  with  a cargo  of  jerked  beef.  It 
lands  the  cargo  here,  and  then  goes  north  with  a cargo  of  sugar ; 
then  takes  a new  cargo  of  cotton  from  New  York  to  Europe, 
and  goes  back  to  the  first  point  of  shipment.  This  is  one  of  the 
reasons  why  they  had  cheap  rates  on  jerked  beef. 

“ The  whole  thing  has  been  done  to  chastise  the  cattle  breed- 
ing in  Cuba,  owing  to  this  reciprocity  treaty  which  Buenos  Ayres 
had  with  Spain.  One  of  the  greatest  errors  Spain  has  made  has 
been  in  killing  the  cattle  breeding  here  by  these  great  advantages 
given  to  foreign  meat  markets.  I wish  to  open  your  eyes  in  re- 
gard to  this,  because  if  it  remains  as  it  is  we  will  always  be  under 
the  same  disadvantage  of  importing  jerked  beef  to  the  detriment 
of  the  cattle  breeding.  You  must  remember  that  jerked  beef  is 
a great  detriment  to  salubrity,  due  to  being  salt,  and  obliges  the 


336 


Industrial  Cuba 


people  who  eat  it  to  drink  large  quantities  of  water  which  gen- 
erally brings  on  anaemia.  Of  1,500,000  inhabitants  1,000,000 
have  eaten  jerked  beef  heretofore,  and  that  is  equivalent  to  the 
amount  of  1600  head  of  cattle  per  day  of  three  hundred  pounds 
each,  and  naturally  Cuba  very  well  could  produce  this  number 
of  cattle  with  the  utmost  ease  because  the  pastures  are  very  good 
here.  It  will  be  an  economy  of  $5,000,000  or  $6,000,000  a year  of 
what  we  pay  here  for  the  jerked  beef  to  Buenos  Ayres,  and  if 
the  importation  of  this  jerked  beef  is  avoided  an  equal  amount 
could  be  grown,  and  we  would  besides  have  the  benefit  of  the 
hides,  tallow,  and  the  horns  of  the  cattle,  which  constitute  a big 
industry  in  itself.  Naturally,  with  the  breeding  of  cattle  here, 
all  this  land  which  is  now  idle  could  be  used,  and  in  addition 
would  give  employment  to  many  cowboys,  etc.  The  people 
here  are  very  fond  of  cattle  raising.  Under  the  basis  of  having 
all  these  farms  in  a condition  to  produce  cattle,  we  could  employ 
almost  all  our  idle  in  this  business.” 

In  1891  it  was  estimated  that  there  were  531,416  horses  in 
Cuba  and  43,309  mules,  yet  a report  dated  as  late  as  Octo- 
ber, 1898,  is  to  the  effect  that  there  are  practically  no  horses 
in  the  Island.  The  same  authority  states  that  there  is  a 
great  demand  for  cheap  horses,  and  that  now,  since  the 
prohibitive  duty  of  fifty  dollars  a head  is  gone  with  other 
Spanish  customs,  the  American  “ plug  horse  ” would  bring 
a quick  sale  all  over  the  Island.  The  Cuban  horse,  of  An- 
dalusian ancestry,  is  a fair  average  animal  for  a low,  hot 
country,  but  great  improvement  could  be  made  in  the  stock 
by  careful  selection  and  breeding.  At  present  he  is  a sub- 
stantial, small  horse  of  the  cob  style,  is  very  easy  under  the 
saddle,  and  does  well  in  harness.  Stallions  and  mares  are 
needed,  and  the  surplus  horse-flesh  of  the  United  States, 
increased  by  the  introduction  of  electricity  as  a street-car 
motor,  might  easily  find  profitable  use  in  this  new  country. 
The  Cuban  horse  will  hardly  achieve  the  proud  position  of 
the  Arabian  or  Kentuckian,  but  he  may  be  as  useful  in  his 
humbler  fashion. 

The  mule  in  Cuba  as  elsewhere,  “ without  pride  of  ances- 


ROYAL  PALMS,  YUMURI  VALLEY. 


337 


Agriculture  and  Stock 

try  or  hope  of  posterity,”  is  a most  patient  and  useful 
animal,  and  his  virtues  and  his  scarcity  make  him  more 
valuable  than  the  horse.  A fine  mule  commands  a fancy 
price,  and  a pair  are  worth  from  $600  to  $800.  What  the 
mule  raisers  of  the  United  States  can  do  in  Cuba  is  left  for 
them  to  determine. 

Sheep  of  good  quality  are  among  the  impossibles  to  Cuba, 
for  the  climate  has  the  peculiar  effect  of  straightening  their 
wool  into  harsh  hair,  like  that  of  the  goat. 

Although  Cuba  has  not  only  every  facility  for  hog  raising, 
including  the  palm,  the  seed  of  which  is  one  of  the  finest 
hog-fatteners  on  earth,  and  although  the  people  of  the 
Island  use  more  lard,  bacon,  hams,  and  pickled  pork  than 
any  other  meat  product,  nevertheless,  instead  of  raising 
their  own,  they  have  received  from  the  United  States  over 
$35,000,000  worth  of  pork  in  the  ten  years  from  1887  to 
1896.  Some  hogs  are  raised,  but  it  is  because  of  the  energy 
of  the  hog,  not  of  the  Cuban.  Wild  hogs  ( jabali ) prevail 
in  many  parts  of  the  Island,  and  the  boar  hunts  are  some- 
times exciting  sport.  The  wild  hog  is  merely  the  domes- 
tic hog  run  away  and  grown  up  in  the  woods. 

Poultry  of  all  kinds  similar  to  that  found  in  the  United 
States  was  common  all  over  the  Island  before  the  war.  No 
attention  is  paid  to  its  cultivation,  except  in  the  matter  of 
game-cocks.  Cock-fighting  is  so  wide-spread  and  popular 
that  the  game-cock  may  be  well  called  the  national  bird  of 
Cuba. 

Humboldt  has  said  that  the  bee  is  not  native  to  Cuba  and 
came  from  Europe.  However  that  may  be,  the  busy  little 
worker  has  found  there  a land  of  flowers,  and  his  products 
of  honey  and  wax  are  among  the  reliable  exports  of  the 
Island.  The  value  of  honey  shipped  to  the  United  States 
in  1893  was  $39,712,  and  of  beeswax,  $45,504.  The  best 
honey  comes  from  the  uplands  and  the  poorest  from  the 
swamp  flowers. 

Agriculture  in  Cuba  promises  rich  results  in  the  future. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 


TIMBER  AND  FRUIT  TREES 

OF  the  approximately  twenty-eight  millions  of  acres  in 
Cuba  and  its  islands,  it  is  estimated  that  from  thir- 
teen to  fifteen  millions  of  acres  are  covered  with  timber,  the 
vastly  larger  portion  of  it  yet  untouched  by  the  axe.  Of 
this,  mahogany  and  cedar  lead  in  value  as  lumber,  though, 
for  the  variety  of  its  uses,  the  palm,  of  which  there  are  thirty 
species  in  the  Island,  easily  takes  precedence.  A notable 
peculiarity  of  tree  growth  in  Cuba  is  the  presence  of  the 
pine,  a distinctively  northern  product,  yet  here  it  is  found, 
growing  side  by  side  with  the  mahogany;  and  on  the  Isle 
of  Pines  it  is  so  plentiful  as  to  have  given  the  name  to  the 
island.  The  province  of  Pinar  del  Rio  (River  of  Pines)  also 
receives  its  name  from  the  pines  which  are  so  numerous 
there. 

Of  the  thirty  varieties  of  palm,  the  first  and  foremost  is 
the  Palma  Real,  or  Royal  Palm,  called  also  the  “ Blessed 
Tree”  because  of  its  manifold  uses  to  man.  This  tree  is 
common  all  over  the  Island,  growing  alike  on  hills  and  in 
valleys;  but  it  is  most  frequent  in  the  west,  where  the  soil 
is  generally  richest  and  heaviest.  It  rises  to  a height  of 
from  sixty  to  eighty  feet,  like  a tall  shaft  of  rough,  grey 
marble,  and  from  its  top  springs  a great  tuft  of  green  leaves. 
Its  peculiar  growth  does  not  make  it  especially  valuable  as 
a shade  tree,  but  an  avenue  of  palms  is  unequalled  in  its  im- 
pressive beauty.  Of  its  uses  in  other  respects  an  inventory 
can  scarcely  be  made.  Its  roots  are  said  to  have  medicinal 
virtues.  The  stem  of  its  leaves,  or  yagua,  often  six  feet  in 

338 


SAGO  PALM. 


Timber  and  Fruit  Trees 


339 


length,  is  like  a thin  board  and  can  be  used  as  a dinner  plate 
by  cutting  it  into  shape;  it  may  be  folded  like  stiff  paper 
when  wet;  and  is  bent  into  a catana , or  basin,  or  a pot,  in 
which  food  may  be  boiled,  and  there  is  sufficient  salt  in  the 
wood  to  make  the  food  palatable ; it  serves  also  as  a basket 
for  carrying  farm  products;  it  is  said  a dozen  cata?ias  will 
produce  a pound  of  salt.  The  seed  of  the  royal  palm  fur- 
nishes an  excellent  “ mast  ” for  fattening  hogs.  Good 
weather-boarding  is  made  from  its  trunk,  and  the  lumber 
may  also  be  made  into  plain  furniture;  its  leaves  form  the 
roofs  of  houses;  fine  canes  are  made  from  the  hard  outside 
shell,  which  may  be  polished  like  metal ; the  bud  of  the 
tuft  is  a vegetable  food  much  like  cauliflower  in  taste,  and 
is  eaten  raw  and  cooked ; and  hats,  baskets,  and  even  cloth 
may  be  made  from  its  leaves  and  fibre.  What  further  uses 
may  be  found  for  it,  future  Yankee  ingenuity  will  develop. 

Of  the  other  palms,  the  guano  and  yarey  are  valuable  for 
their  fibre,  from  which  very  fine  hats  and  baskets  are  made 
for  export;  the  guano  de  cana  produces  the  vanilla-bean 
parasite  and  makes  the  best  roofing  material;  the  cocoanut 
palm  is  another  variety,  probably  better  know  abroad  by  its 
product  than  any  other;  the  guano  de  costa  is  noted  for  its 
elastic  and  waterproof  wood. 

Mahogany  is  the  most  valuable  wood  for  export,  although 
Cuban  cedar  is  probably  better  known,  because  so  much 
more  of  it  is  shipped  to  the  United  States;  for  example,  in 
1894,  a good  year,  12,051  mahogany  logs  were  received  here, 
and  106,545  cedar  logs.  Cuban  mahogany  is  the  most  valu- 
able known  in  the  market.  The  common  variety  is  worth 
from  $110  to  $150  per  1000  feet,  and  the  bird’s-eye,  or 
figured  mahogany,  commands  almost  any  price.  Ordinary 
prices  for  it  run  from  $400  to  $600  per  1000  feet,  with  more 
than  double  that  for  fancy  varietes.  Mahogany  cutting  in 
Cuba  is  done  in  the  most  primitive  fashion  and  under  numer- 
ous difficulties,  and  thus  far  it  has  been  carried  on  in  only  the 
easily  accessible  places,  leaving  millions  of  feet  yet  stand- 
ing in  the  dense  forests  of  the  interior.  To  begin  with,  the 


340 


Industrial  Cuba 


mahogany  tree  does  not  grow  in  groups,  but  takes  its  stand 
alone,  a very  monarch  of  the  forest.  Here  it  is  found  by 
the  hunter,  who  sights  its  peculiar  foliage  from  his  lookout 
in  some  tall  tree.  Noting  all  the  landmarks,  he  climbs 
down  and  cuts  a path  through  the  jungle  to  his  prize, 
blazing  the  way  ” for  his  companions.  The  trees  are 
often  large,  sometimes  thirty  feet  in  circumference,  and  when 
they  are  very  wide  at  the  roots,  the  cutters  build  rude  plat- 
forms of  poles  or  saplings,  called  “ barbecues,”  around 
them,  and  from  these  platforms  the  tree  is  cut  from  ten  to 
fifteen  feet  up  the  trunk.  Thus  are  wasted  several  hundred 
feet  of  the  finest  part  of  the  wood  about  the  gnarled  and 
curly  roots.  It  is  fair  to  suppose  that  there  are  fortunes  to- 
day in  the  mahogany  “ stumpage  ” of  Cuba,  and  it  is  in  the 
most  accessible  portion  of  the  Island.  A day’s  work  for  a 
man  is  to  cut  down  two  trees  of  from  eight  to  ten  feet  in 
circumference;  two  men  will  cut  three  larger  trees,  and 
when  a giant  of  a quarter  of  a hundred  feet  around  is  found, 
four  men  take  the  entire  day,  which  is  very  short  in  the 
dense  jungle,  to  lay  it  low.  Great  care  is  taken  in  felling 
the  tree  not  to  have  it  split  or  break  and  destroy  its  value. 
When  the  tree  is  down,  all  of  it  that  is  available  for  market 
is  squared.  It  is  hauled  either  to  the  nearest  stream  or  to 
the  coast  or  to  a railroad  station,  as  may  be.  Three  hundred 
trees,  averaging  2000  feet  each,  are  a fair  season’s  work  for  an 
ordinary  camp.  Notwithstanding  the  poor  methods  of  get- 
ting out  mahogany  timber,  the  shipments  to  the  United 
States  alone  since  1885  have  been  235,000  logs,  aggregating 
35,700,000  feet,  valued  at  upwards  of  §5,000,000.  The  fol- 
lowing statement  of  the  shipments  since  1894  will  show  the 
disastrous  effects  of  the  war. 


1894  12,051  logs 

1895  20,388  “ 

1896  3,607  “ 

1897  757  “ 

1898  (to  December) 738  “ 


Although  the  mahogany  tree  in  the  wilds,  when  it  reaches 


MAHOGANY  CARRIED  BY  OXEN. 


Timber  and  Fruit  Trees 


34i 


its  best  condition,  reaches  enormous  growth,  much  of  that 
coming  to  market  is  comparatively  small.  Some  logs  are 
not  over  two  feet  in  circumference,  but  fine  logs  are  five 
times  that.  It  may  be  explained  that  the  mahogany  which 
gives  prestige  to  the  Cuban  product  and  which  commands 
the  highest  price,  comes  from  the  Santiago  district.  In 
other  parts  of  the  Island  the  timber  is  smaller,  but  it  is 
noted  for  its  hardness. 

The  United  States  is  most  familiar  with  Cuban  cedar  in 
the  form  of  cigar  boxes.  The  shipments  of  cedar  since  1885 
have  exceeded  700,000  logs  containing  over  70,000,000  feet, 
valued  at  $4,900,000,  allowing  $70  per  1000  as  the  average 
price  in  the  market.  Proportionately,  cedar  has  suffered 
equally  with  mahogany  by  the  war,  as  will  be  seen  by  the 
following  table  of  shipments: 


1894  106,545  logs 

1895  61,888  “ 

1896  28,130  “ 

1897  4,055  “ 

1898  (to  November) 5,204  “ 


Of  the  supposed  forty  varieties  of  hard  woods  in  the 
Cuban  forests,  lignum-vitae  is  one  of  the  hardest,  and  it 
grows  fairly  plentifully.  Not  a great  deal  of  it  has  been 
shipped,  and  it  is  worth  from  thirteen  to  thirty  dollars  per 
ton  according  to  quality.  Cuban  ebony  is  a fine  wood  grow- 
ing  generally  about  the  Island,  and  is  noted  for  its  black- 
ness. The  majagua  is  a flourishing  tree,  forty  feet  in  height 
at  its  best,  and  its  bark  produces  a fibre  which  is  made  into 
rope  equal  to  much  of  the  hemp  rope  now  in  use.  Its  wood 
is  also  hard  and  durable.  The  baria  is  a fragrant  flowering 
tree  of  hard  wood,  and  the  granadillo,  though  only  a small 
tree  of  ten  to  twelve  feet  in  height,  produces  a wood  of 
great  hardness  and  fine  colour,  from  which  handsome 
canes  are  made.  The  acana,  roble  bianco  (white),  roble 
amarillo  (yellow),  jique,  and  caiguaran  are  hard  and  dur- 
able woods,  the  last  being  especially  useful  for  fence  posts 


342 


Industrial  Cuba 


and  other  underground  work,  as  it  lasts  like  iron.  The 
cuia  is  durable  in  water,  and  is  useful  for  dock  timber  and 
such  purposes.  The  caimitillo,  yaya,  moboa,  and  cuen 
are  all  useful  woods  in  the  making  of  house  frames,  furni- 
ture, barrel  hoops,  handles,  and  carriage  shafts.  The  jaguey 
is  a peculiar  tree,  beginning  as  a parasite  on  some  other,  from 
which  it  sends  shoots  to  the  ground,  where,  taking  root, 
they  grow  up  and  choke  out  the  parent  tree,  taking  its  place 
as  a tree  composed  of  innumerable  stems  or  vines.  It  bears 
a fruit  of  which  bats  are  fond,  and  they  are  thick  in  these 
trees  in  May.  Its  wood  is  used  for  walking-sticks  and  other 
small  articles. 

The  ceiba,  cottonwood  or  silk-cotton  tree,  is  a tree  of 
beauty  and  size,  and  of  very  general  growth.  It  bears  a 
pod  filled  with  beautiful  white  silk-cotton,  used  for  stuffing 
pillows,  but  too  short  of  fibre  for  spinning.  One  of  the 
notable  trees  of  the  world  that  travellers  tell  us  of  is  the 
great  ceiba  tree  in  the  Plaza  at  Nassau,  Jamaica.  The 
rubber  tree  has  been  introduced,  in  addition  to  some  native 
gum-producing  trees,  undeveloped  ; and  though  enough  was 
done  towards  its  cultivation  to  prove  that  it  could  be  grown 
successfully,  the  usual  fate  of  new  industries  in  competition 
with  the  Spanish  style  of  taxation  proved  too  much  for  it, 
and  the  business  was  ruined.  The  sand  box  receives  its 
name  from  the  peculiar  rattling  of  its  pods  as  of  dropping 
sand.  The  trumpet  tree  is  so  called  because  of  its  hollow 
trunk  which  produces  a trumpet-like  sound.  The  banyan 
tree  is  noticeable  along  the  coasts,  where  it  generally  pre- 
vails. One  specimen,  near  Marianao  just  outside  of  Havana, 
has  hung  its  branches  down  and  taken  root  until  it  covers 
four  or  five  acres,  and  is  a great  curiosity  to  the  traveller. 

Rosewood  is  plentiful  in  some  parts  of  the  Island,  also 
logwood  and  other  dyewoods,  but  little  or  nothing  has 
been  done  to  develop  business  in  this  direction,  and  they 
are  holding  their  riches  for  the  new  discoverers  from  the 
north  who  shall  explore  the  Island  in  good  time. 

Concerning  the  practical  side  of  the  timber  and  lumber 


Timber  and  Fruit  Trees 


343 


industry  in  Cuba,  Mr.  Charles  M.  Pepper,  journalist,  writes 
as  follows : 

“ I have  heard  a hint  that  some  of  the  Pennsylvanians  who 
know  something  of  lumber  have  got  ahead  of  the  Michigan  and 
Wisconsin  lumbermen  who  were  expecting  to  exploit  the  forests 
of  the  interior.  It  is  of  no  consequence  who  does  it  so  long  as 
the  industry  is  developed.  A civil  engineer  came  to  me  the 
other  day  to  ask  some  points  about  reaching  a certain  part  of 
the  Island.  He  also  wanted  to  know  a good  land-title  lawyer. 
His  plan  was  to  take  the  lawyer  along  and  close  up  purchases  of 
timber  lands  at  once.  The  men  he  represented  must  have  had 
money  or  they  would  not  have  indulged  in  the  luxury  of  a lawyer 
to  accompany  them  to  the  wilds  of  the  interior.  But  their  idea 
was  the  right  one.  Their  money  is  in  Havana  banks.  When 
they  find  timber  lands  which  suit  their  purpose  they  will  buy  the 
tracts  instead  of  seeking  options  and  going  back  to  the  United 
States  to  sell  these  rights.  Options  on  land  are  hardly  known  in 
Cuba.  Nobody  is  likely  to  make  money  by  that  means. 

“ As  to  how  far  the  woods  can  be  cleared  by  native  labor  I 
asked  the  opinion  of  Major  Van  Leer,  the  government  engineer 
who  is  superintending  the  construction  of  Colonel  Hecker’s  little 
military  railroad  across  the  bay  at  Guanabacoa.  He  has  had 
experience  in  South  America,  in  Santo  Domingo  and  in  other 
parts  of  the  West  Indies.  ‘Native  labor,’  he  said,  ‘will  do  for 
most  everything  except  to  boss  the  job  and  run  the  sawmills. 
They  don’t  know  much  about  sawmills  in  these  tropical  countries, 
but  they  quickly  learn  how  to  get  out  the  timber.  A few  lumber- 
men from  Michigan  or  Pennsylvania  would  be  able  to  handle  the 
work  without  trouble.’ 

“ The  Cubans  have  already  learned  how  to  get  out  the  ma- 
hogany, though  only  the  edges  of  the  forests  have  been  touched. 
They  have  also  learned  something  of  sawmills,  for  in  Pinar  del 
Rio  I have  seen  the  tracts  which  they  cleared  of  pine  and  cedar. 

“ These  remarks  on  lumber  are  a digression.  They  may  be 
taken  at  sawdust  value  by  real  lumbermen  who  have  been  brought 
up  in  Wisconsin  or  Pennyslvania.  They  are  made  because  some 
folks  with  money  have  come  to  Cuba  to  buy  timber  lands.  As 
long  as  it  was  only  promoters  forming  companies  for  the  exploit- 


344 


Industrial  Cuba 


ation  of  an  unknown  timber  country  it  was  not  worth  mention- 
ing. Other  phases  of  investment  are  becoming  live  topics  for 
the  same  reason.” 

Next  in  value  to  the  lumber  trees  in  Cuba  are  fruit- 
bearing trees  of  an  almost  innumerable  variety,  some  of 
which  are  universally  known  in  the  United  States.  With  a 
climate  and  soil  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  highest  develop- 
ment of  all  kinds  of  tropical  fruits  little  has  as  yet  been 
done,  and  what  has  been  accomplished  has  not  been  by  the 
natives.  It  is  said  of  too  many  of  them  that  when  they  are 
too  lazy  to  pick  the  fruit  nature  so  lavishly  bestows  upon 
them,  they  simply  lie  down  under  the  trees  and  wait  for  it 
to  fall.  Though  all  kinds  of  southern  fruits  grow  luxuriantly, 
the  most  valuable  commercially  thus  far  developed  are 
bananas,  cocoanuts,  lemons,  oranges,  limes,  and  pineapples, 
and  the  north-eastern  uplands  seem  to  be,  by  climate  and 
soil,  especially  adapted  to  the  highest  development.  While 
some  degree  of  progress  has  been  made  in  the  raising  of 
bananas  and  cocoanuts,  very  little  has  been  done  with  the 
other  fruits,  and  the  possibilities  are  wonderful. 

The  banana,  of  which  millions  of  bunches  are  shipped 
annually,  easily  leads  its  competitors,  in  point  of  value.  It 
is  scarcely  necessary  to  comment  upon  a fruit  so  well  known 
to  every  American.  As  usual  with  fruits  shipped  out  of  the 
latitude  of  their  growth,  the  banana  of  commerce  is  not  the 
banana  of  its  native  garden,  although  it  suffers  much  less  by 
the  transition  than  other  fruits,  as  it  ripens  almost  as  well 
off  the  tree  as  on.  It  is  much  more  wholesome  for  the 
foreigner  in  his  own  home  than  in  Cuba.  The  banana  has 
three  stages  of  usefulness:  in  the  first,  roasted  or  boiled, 
it  is  nourishing  and  a good  substitute  for  bread;  at  three- 
fourths  of  its  growth  it  is  sweeter,  but  not  so  nourishing; 
and  at  last  it  takes  on  an  acid,  bitter  taste,  healthful  and 
palatable.  Bananas  of  various  kinds  grow  wild  in  many 
parts  of  the  Island,  and  the  poorer  people  practically  live 
upon  them  free  of  cost.  The  fig  banana,  which  is  much 


CUBAN  FRUITS. 


Timber  and  Fruit  Trees 


345 


more  delicate  than  the  common  kind,  is  used  as  a dessert 
everywhere,  and  is  very  fine,  but  it  cannot  be  shipped. 
During  the  past  eight  years,  shipments  of  bananas  from  the 
four  ports  handling  the  business  were  as  follows: 


Baracoa 7,570,547  bunches 

Gibara 7.369,193  “ 

Banes 4,751,000  “ 

Cabonico 3,118,007  “ 


The  war  wiped  out  the  banana  business  at  Baracoa.  The 
shipments  fell  from  1,552,700  bunches  in  1894,  to  2000  in 
1896;  but  at  the  other  ports  the  effect  was  not  so  serious. 
Gibara  sent  away  1,305,000  bunches  in  1896  to  1,671,000  in 
1894;  Banes,  755,000  in  1896,  to  1,028,000  in  1894;  and 
Cabonico,  550,000  in  1896,  to  643,000  in  1894.  The  plant- 
ain, another  variety*  may  be  called  the  vegetable  banana, 
and  is  of  very  general  local  use  as  a food. 

Cocoanuts  are  raised  in  the  same  north-eastern  section, 
and  Baracoa  handles,  or  did  handle,  the  business;  27,430,- 
413  were  shipped  from  1890  to  1896.  Here,  again,  the  war 
laid  its  heavy  hand,  and  shipments  fell  from  6,268,000  nuts 
in  1893  to  35,000  in  1896.  Of  cocoanut  oil,  4672  barrels 
were  shipped  in  1890-1896,  with  the  highest  number  of 
barrels,  1500,  in  1896,  as  against  50  barrels  in  1893.  Ship- 
ments of  cocoa  in  1894-1896  were  2,930,445  pounds. 

The  cocoanut  palm  rises  to  a height  of  fifty  feet  or  more. 
The  nuts  grow  in  bunches  in  the  tuft  at  the  top  of  the  trunk ; 
bunches  which  often  weigh  as  much  as  three  hundred  pounds. 
The  nut  furnishes  meat  and  drink  to  the  hungry  native.  The 
milk  of  the  green  cocoanut,  a most  palatable  drink,  is  said 
to  have  valuable  medicinal  qualities  in  kidney  troubles. 

A few  other  Cuban  fruits  are  oranges,  lemons,  limes, 
mangoes,  rose  apples,  pineapples,  pomegranates,  sapotes, 
tamarinds,  citrons,  figs,  custard  apples,  guavas,  and  agua- 
cates.  Cuban  oranges  are  considered  by  many  experts 
to  be  the  best  and  sweetest  in  the  world  and  they  are 
the  favourite  fruit  of  the  better  classes  of  Cubans.  One 


346 


Industrial  Cuba 


orange  and  a cup  of  coffee  in  the  morning  to  a Cuban  is 
what  a chew  of  tobacco  and  a drink  of  whiskey  is  said  to  be 
to  a Kentuckian.  Although  little  attention  has  been  paid 
to  the  cultivation  of  oranges,  except  for  local  use,  they  still 
constitute  the  second  most  valuable  fruit  import  from  the 
Island.  The  United  States  received  $530,680  worth  from 
1887  to  1896.  The  imports  reached  their  greatest  value 
($97,078)  in  1887;  in  1896  the  imports  amounted  to  $58,612. 
Cuban  oranges  are  of  the  seedless  variety  and  are  extremely 
cheap  all  over  the  Island.  The  possibilities  of  their  cultiva- 
tion are  limitless,  and  it  is  safe  to  say  that  within  a few 
years  the  production  for  export  will  be  enormous. 

The  lemon  tree,  with  its  white  flower  and  its  varicoloured 
fruit,  is  one  of  the  prettiest  trees  to  be  found  in  Cuba.  Its 
leaves  are  almost  as  fragrant  as  are  those  of  our  lemon  ver- 
bena. The  yield  is  continuous.  Generally  the  fruit  is  of  large 
size,  though  the  finest  lemons  are  rather  small,  juicy,  thin- 
skinned,  and  of  full  flavour.  The  larger  variety  is  thick- 
skinned.  Little  or  no  attention  is  paid  to  proper  cultivation 
and  no  lemons  are  exported.  The  same  is  true  of  the  lime, 
the  fruit  of  which  is  very  largely  used,  for  its  therapeutic 
qualities,  in  beverages  of  various  kinds. 

The  rose  apple,  or  rose  fruit,  grows  on  a tree  of  remark- 
able symmetry,  with  glossy  leaves,  and  is  as  large  as  a good- 
sized  peach,  smooth-skinned  and  cream-coloured;  with  an 
odour  and  taste  of  attar  of  roses,  so  strong  in  fact  as  not 
always  to  be  agreeable  after  the  first  one  is  eaten.  Cubans 
use  it  as  flavour  for  soups  and  puddings.  The  mammee,  or 
mamey,  is  an  odd  fruit,  growing  on  high  trees.  It  is  as 
large  as  a muskmelon,  with  a firm  texture  and  somewhat 
the  taste  of  a peach.  It  is  of  no  commercial  value.  The 
natives  eat  it,  but  it  is  not  agreeable  to  foreign  palates. 
The  mango,  of  Oriental  origin,  flourishes  everywhere  in 
Cuba,  growing  on  a tree  similar  to  our  apple  tree.  It  is 
the  size  of  a pullet’s  egg,  yellow  in  colour,  grows  in  long 
bunches,  is  very  juicy  when  fully  ripe,  and  is  agreeable 
to  most  tastes.  The  natives  are  especially  fond  of  it. 


Timber  and  Fruit  Trees 


347 


Whether  it  can  be  grown  for  shipment  remains  to  be  seen. 
Dates  and  figs  find  a genial  climate  and  a good  soil,  but  so 
far  they  have  been  left  to  look  out  for  themselves.  The 
sapotilla  is  a fine  tree  with  a bell-shaped  white  flower,  as 
fragrant  as  apple  blossoms;  and  the  fruit  is  the  size  of  a 
peach,  in  a rough  russet  skin.  When  ripe  it  is  delicious  and 
melts  in  the  mouth.  The  custard  apple  grows  wild  and  is 
also  cultivated.  It  is  green  in  colour,  tough-skinned,  acid 
in  flavour,  and  full  of  small  black  seeds.  It  weighs  as  much 
as  a pound  and  a half,  and  is  used  for  flavouring  purposes. 
The  star  apple  is  so  called  because,  when  cut  in  half,  a star 
appears  in  the  centre.  The  meat  is  green  in  colour  when  the 
fruit  is  ripe.  It  is  eaten  out  of  the  skin  with  a spoon,  and 
has  the  flavour  of  strawberries  and  cream.  The  guava  grows 
on  a tree  about  like  an  American  cherry  tree,  and  though 
not  eaten  in  its  natural  state,  it  is  of  universal  use  in  making 
the  well-known  guava  preserves  and  jelly.  The  guava  has 
a peculiar  odour  which  will  scent  a room  for  hours  after  the 
fruit  is  cut. 

The  pomegranate  is  a bush  fruit  of  handsome  appear- 
ance not  unknown  in  American  hothouses  and  in  south- 
ern localities,  and  though  not  at  its  best  in  Cuba,  it  is  a 
great  favourite,  taking  the  place  there  that  apples  take  in 
this  country.  The  well-known  citron,  with  many  other 
Cuban  fruits,  is  waiting  for  the  care  and  attention  that  will 
make  it  a valuable  commercial  product.  The  tamarind 
grows  in  a pod-shape  on  a lofty  shade  tree,  and  when  ripe 
is  of  the  consistency  of  marmalade,  and  quite  as  toothsome. 
It  is  a sweet  acid,  and  is  used  in  making  a favourite  drink  in 
tropic  countries.  The  tamarind  can  be  exported.  The 
wild  or  bitter  orange  is  used  for  hedges,  and  the  thick  skin 
of  the  fruit  makes  a sweetmeat  of  some  commercial  value. 
The  aguacate , better  known  to  us  as  the  alligator  pear,  is  a 
vegetable  fruit  and  is  used  as  a salad. 

Th o.  guanabana  is  a green-skinned  fruit  with  white  meat, 
and  is  used  chiefly  for  making  a pleasant  drink,  although  it 
can  be  eaten.  Somewhat  similar  to  it  is  the  anon,  a pulpy 


348 


Industrial  Cuba 


and  rich  fruit  in  great  favour.  Neither  of  these  can  be 
shipped  out  of  the  country.  The  bread-fruit  is  not  a native 
Cuban,  having  been  brought  in  about  a hundred  years  ago. 
Little  has  been  done  in  its  cultivation.  The  cinnamon  tree, 
introduced  by  Las  Casas,  will  grow  well,  but  nothing  has 
been  done  towards  its  cultivation. 

Humboldt  mentions  the  fact  that  in  the  early  times 
the  Spaniards  made  wine  of  Cuban  wild  grapes,  but  grape 
culture  is  not  of  any  value,  though  some  fine  varieties  are 
grown.  The  water-  and  muskmelon  and  cantaloup  grow 
easily,  but  they  need  more  care  than  they  have  to  be  equal 
in  flavour  and  popularity  to  those  raised  elsewhere. 

The  strawberry  grows  everywhere  and  produces  two  crops 
yearly,  but  the  natives  are  too  lazy  to  give  it  any  attention. 
Strawberry  culture  in  Cuba  could  be  successfully  carried  on 
to  supply  the  early  markets  of  the  United  States.  The 
zapote  is  a fruit  of  brown  colour  similar  to  our  apple,  and  is 
not  edible  until  it  has  rotted. 

Last  but  not  least  is  that  delightful  fruit,  the  pineapple. 
There  are  several  varieties  growing  wild  in  Cuba  and  culti- 
vation greatly  improves  them.  The  fruit  grows  out  of  a 
bunch  of  great  leaves,  eighteen  inches  or  two  feet  from  the 
ground.  Each  plant  bears  one  apple  weighing  from  one  to 
four  or  five  pounds.  The  fruit  stem  matures  in  about  eight- 
een months  from  planting,  bears  one  apple,  and  will  bear 
an  apple  annually  after  that  for  three  or  four  years.  The 
plant  is  raised  from  slips.  Pineapples  are  chiefly  grown  in 
the  Isle  of  Pines  and  Western  Cuba.  This  latter  section, 
however,  takes  the  lead  in  all  fruit-growing.  Thirty-two 
thousand  pineapples  were  shipped  from  Banes  in  1894.  As 
yet  the  Cuban  pineapple  is  a weak  competitor  of  the 
Bahama  fruit. 

As  may  be  readily  seen,  fruit-raising  in  Cuba  is  yet  in  its 
infancy,  and  inasmuch  as  there  is  no  serious  competitor  in 
the  American  market,  save  Florida  and  Porto  Rico,  there  is 
no  reason  why  the  future  development  should  not  be  of  the 
vastest  proportions.  Since  the  great  frost  in  Florida,  which 


COFFEE  MILL,  SANTIAGO  DE  CUBA. 


Timber  and  Fruit  Trees 


349 


killed  out  the  orange  trees  and  slaughtered  fruit  and  vege- 
tables generally,  that  garden  spot  has  become  more  or  less 
unreliable;  and  as  Cuba  has  never  known  a killing  frost,  is 
not  much  farther  from  the  markets  than  Florida,  and  has 
water  communication  from  all  points,  it  must  be  accepted 
that  Cuba  will  control  the  future  fruit  supply  of  this  country, 
and  American  capital  will  not  be  slow  to  avail  itself  of  the 
opportunities  offered. 

Authorities  differ  as  to  the  introduction  of  coffee,  which 
is  not  indigenous  to  Cuban  soil.  One  sets  the  date  as  1742, 
and  asserts  that  the  plant  was  imported  from  Haiti;  another 
says  it  came  in  1 709  from  Martinique  ; but,  whenever  it  came, 
coffee  culture  grew  at  once  into  a flourishing  industry,  and 
in  time  Cuban  coffee  ranked  with  the  best  in  the  world. 
Sugar-growing  first  lessened  its  field  for  profit  by  showing 
larger  returns  with  much  less  labour  and  care,  always  an 
object  of  first  consideration  with  Cubans;  and  in  1843  and 
1846  disastrous  hurricanes  destroyed  many  plantations. 
Later,  Brazil  and  other  coffee-producing  countries  came 
into  the  market  with  a product  grown  under  more  favour- 
able circumstances  of  governmental  liberality  and  new  and 
improved  methods  and  machinery,  and  Cuban  coffee  practi- 
cally disappeared  from  foreign  markets.  Still  there  are 
several  hundred  coffee  plantations,  supplying  the  local  de- 
mand, and  the  business  is  profitable.  The  eastern  end  of 
the  Island  is  the  coffee-producing  section,  and  14,048,490 
pounds  were  raised  in  the  province  of  Santiago  de  Cuba  in 
1890-1896.  Shipments  to  Spain  in  1891-1895  aggregated 
$322,266.  There  is  no  prettier  sight  than  a coffee  planta- 
tion. The  trees  are  set  out  in  rows  with  wide  alleys  be- 
tween, where  waggons  may  pass  to  receive  the  crop,  and 
with  other  trees,  of  various  kinds,  to  furnish  the  shade 
needed  for  the  proper  development  of  the  berry.  The 
berry  or  seed  grows  peculiarly.  Instead  of  hanging  from 
the  boughs  of  the  tree,  it  gathers  in  clusters  along  the 
trunk.  The  seed  in  its  pod  resembles  some  strange  kind  of 
parasite. 


350 


Industrial  Cuba 


The  harvest  extends  from  July  to  December;  the  plant  is 
in  the  full  glory  of  its  blossom  in  February.  Coffee-raising 
is  a very  pleasant  occupation,  for  the  plantations  are  in  the 
uplands  where  the  climate  is  good,  and  the  work  is  much 
easier  than  that  required  either  in  sugar-  or  tobacco-raising. 
Naturally  the  condition  of  labour  is  considerably  above  the 
average,  and  a much  better  class  of  workmen  is  employed. 
All  things  considered,  it  is  fair  to  conclude  that  coffee  cult- 
ure will  receive  more  attention  than  sugar,  tobacco,  or  fruit 
from  the  small  farmers  who  migrate  to  Cuba  from  the  United 
States;  and  in  future  the  industry  will  be  restored  to  the 
high  place  it  once  occupied,  now  that  the  burden  of  Spanish 
taxation  is  removed,  and  every  encouragement  will  be  given 
to  all  who  undertake  its  cultivation. 


CHAPTER  XXV 


TRANSPORTATION 


HOUGH  it  has  as  poor  a system  of  railway  and  waggon- 


road  transportation  as  could  be  imagined,  Cuba  is  by 
nature  fitted  for  the  very  best  system  possible.  With  a 
length  of  over  seven  hundred  miles  a main  stem  of  railway 
from  end  to  end  of  the  Island  would  have  control  of  every 
shipping  point  on  both  coasts,  by  the  extension  of  short 
branches  to  such  of  the  harbours  on  either  side  (at  the  farthest 
not  more  than  fifty  miles  away)  as  seem  capable  of  develop- 
ment. With  such  a system  of  railways,  the  tributary 
waggon  roads  could  be  built  at  comparatively  small  cost, 
because  at  no  point  would  long  stretches  of  highway  be 
necessary. 

But  no  such  transportation  facilities  have  been  developed 
in  Cuba;  and,  although  there  are  about  one  thousand  miles 
of  railway  and  some  few  waggon  roads,  they  are  totally  in- 
adequate, even  if  they  were  of  the  highest  type.  As  a rule, 
they  are  wretchedly  poor,  and  the  Island  has  suffered  more, 
industrially,  from  bad  roads  than  from  any  other  cause  except 
Spanish  domination.  Under  the  new  regime,  the  necessity 
of  a railway  from  one  end  of  the  Island  to  the  other  is  so 
urgent,  and  its  value  as  an  investment  is  so  apparent,  that 
capital  stands  waiting  to  complete  it  at  the  very  earliest 
opportunity. 

The  waggon-road  system  of  the  Island,  if  there  be  any 
system,  comprises  a number  of  government  roads,  or  “ royal 
highways,”  which  are  royal  chiefly  in  name.  The  best 
known  is  the  Camino  Central , or  Central  Road,  extending 


352 


Industrial  Cuba 


from  Havana  to  Santiago  de  Cuba,  a distance  of  about  six 
hundred  miles.  Most  of  it  is  little  better  than  a very  bad 
specimen  of  “ dirt  road,”  and  none  of  it  is  calzada,  or  paved 
road  (turnpike),  except  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the 
better  class  of  towns  through  which  it  passes.  It  has 
branches  to  the  north  and  south,  usually  worse  than  the 
parent  road.  It  is  the  national  turnpike  of  Cuba,  navigable 
only  by  mules  in  the  wet  season.  It  is  said  these  sagacious 
creatures  know  the  road  so  well  that  in  particularly  bad 
places  they  get  out  and  walk  along  the  stone  walls  by  the 
roadside.  Of  the  paved  roads,  or  calzadas,  other  than  mere 
local  roads,  leading  out  of  the  towns  a short  distance  into 
the  country,  one  from  Coloma  to  Pinar  del  Rio  is  fifteen 
miles  in  length;  one,  the  Western  Calzada , from  Havana 
to  San  Cristobal,  sixty  miles;  Havana  to  Bejucal,  the 
Southern  Calzada , fifteen  miles;  Batabano  to  the  beach,  two 
miles  and  a half ; Havana  to  Giiines,  the  South-eastern 
Calzada,  thirty  miles;  Havana  to  Santa  Maria  del  Rosario, 
fifteen  miles;  Luyano  to  Guanabacoa,  twelve  miles;  Nufiez 
to  La  Canoa,  twenty-six  miles;  San  Cristobal  to  Pinar  del 
Rio,  the  South-western  Calzada,  thirty  miles;  Pinar  del  Rio 
to  Colon,  fifteen  miles.  This  list  includes  all  the  roads  in 
the  Island,  except  those  local  outlets  before  mentioned,  of 
which,  though  some  are  really  good  roads,  the  most  are  in 
bad  repair. 

Of  the  country  roads,  known  as  “ dirt  roads”  in  our 
country,  Cuba  has  specimens  which,  but  for  the  patient 
mule,  would  not  for  weeks  during  the  rainy  season  feel  the 
weight  of  a passenger;  and  even  the  mule  is  barred  at  times. 
There  is  a legend  to  the  effect  that  once  upon  a time  a mule 
kicked  over  a Spanish  saint,  and,  as  a penance,  he  was  sent 
to  serve  as  a beast  of  travel  on  Cuban  roads.  Inasmuch  as 
the  mule  was  the  only  possible  carrier  for  these  roads,  and 
as  the  worse  the  mud  the  greater  would  be  his  penance,  it 
came  to  be  deemed  sacrilege  by  the  pious  Spaniards  to  im- 
prove the  dirt  roads  of  Cuba.  Hence  their  condition. 
These  roads  are  really  not  roads ; they  are  nothing  better 


A CONVOY  IN  THE  HILLS. 


Transportation  353 

than  unpaved  strips  of  the  public  domain  in  its  natural 
state;  in  the  wet  season  they  are  impassable  by  reason  of 
the  mud,  and  in  the  dry  season  are  impossible  by  reason  of 
the  dust.  Travellers  who  have  tried  these  roads  say  they 
are  worse  than  the  yellow  fever,  because  they  are  more 
lingering. 

Of  wheeled  vehicles  on  Cuban  roads,  the  heavy,  wooden- 
wheeled, primitive  style,  slow-going  ox-  and  mule-carts  take 
precedence  as  freighters,  and  for  passenger  transportation 
the  volante  (flyer)  takes  rank  of  all  others.  Indeed,  no 
other  vehicle  would  be  possible  on  many  of  the  roads,  not 
only  because  modern  carriage  building  has  not  devised  a 
vehicle  strong  enough  to  stand  the  strain,  and  light  enough 
to  be  hauled,  but  because  endurance  in  any  of  them  for  any 
distance  would  be  impossible.  The  volante , drawn  by  one, 
two,  or  three  horses,  according  to  the  exigencies  of  the 
highways,  is  the  only  possible  form  of  vehicular  travel.  This 
vehicle  consists  of  a two-seated  bed,  swung  low  on  leather 
straps  from  the  axle  of  two  very  large  wheels,  very  wide 
apart,  with  shafts  fifteen  feet  long.  This  peculiar  gearing 
relieves  the  jolting,  removes  the  danger  of  upsetting,  and 
makes  volante  riding  really  endurable  on  rough  roads,  and  a 
languorous  luxury  where  the  roads  are  good  and  meander 
among  the  waving  palms  and  tropical  vegetation  of  the 
gently  rolling  valleys. 

The  only  street  railways  are  to  be  found  in  Puerto  Prin- 
cipe, where  a short  mule  motor  line  exists,  and  in  Havana, 
which  has  about  twenty-seven  miles  of  track,  say  about  one 
hundred  miles  less  than  a city  of  over  200,000  population 
should  have.  Its  power  is  principally  horse,  one  route 
steam,  and  although  it  is  badly  managed,  poor  in  service, 
and  always  in  bad  condition,  its  annual  receipts  are  about 
$500,000.  Under  the  new  regime  the  opportunities  for 
investment  of  American  capital  in  street-railway  building 
will  be  especially  excellent,  not  only  in  the  city  of  Havana, 
but  in  most  of  the  towns  of  the  Island.  In  the  same  field, 
on  a more  extended  scale,  will  be  the  development  of 


354 


Industrial  Cuba 


trolley  lines  through  the  interior,  to  take  the  place  of  the 
miserable  roads  which  serve  to  retard  the  progress  of  the 
Island. 

There  are,  in  round  numbers,  one  thousand  miles  of 
steam  railroad  in  Cuba,  almost  all  of  which  is  standard 
gauge,  and  the  most  of  which  is  owned  and  controlled  by 
English  and  Spanish  companies.  There  is  no  great  central 
system;  the  lines  are  independent,  short  roads.  The  lead- 
ing combination  is  the  United  Railways  Company,  with  five 
lines  out  of  Havana:  (i)  to  Matanzas,  fifty-five  miles;  (2)  to 
Batabano,  thirty-six  miles;  (3)  to  Guanajay,  thirty-five 
miles;  (4)  to  La  Union,  seventy-seven  miles;  (5)  to  Jovel- 
lanos,  eighty-eight  miles;  a parallel  line  runs  between 
Matanzas  and  Empalme,  joining  the  line  again  at  Giiines. 
These  lines  are  in  the  main  well  built  and  ballasted,  having 
steel  rails,  stone  culverts,  and  iron  bridges,  and  they  pass 
through  rich  sections  of  agricultural  and  grazing  country. 

The  second  in  importance  is  the  Western  Railway,  running 
to  Pinar  del  Rio,  106  miles,  and  traversing  the  famous  Vuelta 
Abajo  tobacco  district.  The  line  next  in  importance  is  the 
Cardenas  and  Jucaro  Railway,  extending  from  Cardenas  to 
Santa  Clara,  no  miles,  with  branches  to  Montalvo  from 
Jovellanos,  twenty-seven  miles;  to  Aguada  from  Cardenas, 
fifty-nine  miles,  to  Itabo,  thirteen  miles;  from  Artemisal  to 
Macagua,  seventeen  miles.  These  lines  traverse  a rich 
agricultural  country,  chiefly  devoted  to  sugar-growing. 

The  Matanzas  Railway,  from  Matanzas  to  Cumanayagua, 
seventy-three  miles,  is  a well-built  road,  through  a rich  sugar 
district.  The  Navajas-Jaguey  branch  extends  from  the 
main  line  at  Montalvo,  twenty-five  miles,  to  Murga  in  the 
interior.  The  Sagua  la  Grande  Railway  extends  from 
Concha,  the  seaport  of  Sagua,  to  Cruces,  forty-eight  miles, 
where  it  connects  with  the  Cienfuegos  and  Santa  Clara 
Railway.  This  is  a generally  stone-ballasted  road  through 
a rich  agricultural  and  fruit-growing  section.  The  Cienfue- 
gos and  Santa  Clara  Railway  extends  from  Cienfuegos  to 
Santa  Clara,  forty-two  miles.  A portion  of  the  country 


A CUBAN  VOLANTE. 


Transportation  355 

along  the  line  is  rough,  but  there  are  many  fine  sugar  farms. 
The  Caibarien  Railway  Company  has  a local  line  extending 
to  Placetas,  thirty-three  miles.  The  Puerto  Principe  and 
Nuevitas  Railway,  forty-five  miles  in  length,  connects 
Puerto  with  Nuevitas,  its  seaport.  This  railroad  has  paid 
the  extraordinary  dividends  of  fifteen  to  twenty  per  cent. 
The  Guantanamo  Railway  is  a profitable  road,  four  miles 
long,  connecting  Guantanamo  with  Caimanera,  its  seaport. 
The  Marianao  Railway  is  a suburban  line,  eight  and  a half 
miles  long,  connecting  Havana  with  Marianao  and  La  Plaza. 
It  carries  about  800,000  passengers  annually  at  a thirty-cent 
fare.  The  Regia  and  Guanabacoa  Railway  is  a local  line, 
two  and  a half  miles  long,  connecting  the  two  towns,  and  is 
owned  by  the  proprietor  of  one  of  the  ferries  between  Regia 
and  Havana.  It  has  valuable  terminal  facilities  in  Regia. 
The  Encrucijada  Railway  extends  from  Sitiecito,  on  the 
main  stem  of  the  Havana  line,  to  Encrucijada,  a distance  of 
twenty  miles,  through  a rich  sugar  and  stock  district.  The 
San  Cayetano  and  Vifiales  Railway  is  a two-and-a-half-foot 
gauge  road,  fifteen  miles  long,  from  the  port  of  San  Cay- 
etano to  Vinales.  The  Casilda  and  Fernandez  Railway 
extends  from  the  seaport  of  Trinidad  to  Fernandez,  twenty- 
two  miles.  The  Las  Tunas  Railway  extends  from  Zaza  to 
Valle,  twenty-four  miles,  and  was  built  to  connect  Sancti 
Spiritus  with  the  seaboard,  though  it  is  not  yet  completed. 
The  Zaza  Railway,  of  three-foot  gauge,  is  a private  road, 
and  parallels  the  Caibarien  United  Railways  to  Placetas, 
twenty-one  and  a half  miles.  The  Jucaro-Mordn  Railway 
is  a military  road  on  the  line  of  the  Jucaro  Trocha,  con- 
necting Jucaro  on  the  south  coast  with  Estero  on  the  north, 
passing  through  heavy  forests  of  fine  timber  for  nearly  its 
entire  length.  The  Gibara-Holguin  Railway  connects 
Gibara  with  Auras,  a small  town  in  the  interior,  nine  and  a 
half  miles.  It  runs  through  a very  rich  fruit  district  and  is 
intended  to  extend  to  Holguin. 

Penetrating  thirty-three  miles  into  the  rich  mineral  and 
agricultural  districts  to  the  north  of  Santiago  de  Cuba,  is  the 


356 


Industrial  Cuba 


Sabanilla  and  Maroto  Railway,  a well-built  standard-gauge 
road.  A short  branch  extends  to  El  Caney,  famous  in  war 
history,  and  at  Mordn,  twelve  miles  from  Santiago,  a new 
line  branches  to  the  north-east,  passing  through  several  un- 
important villages  and  terminating  at  Sabanilla,  six  or  eight 
miles  away.  The  old  line  goes  to  San  Luis,  thirty-three 
miles  from  Santiago,  passing  Enramadas,  twenty-one  miles 
out;  and  from  this  point,  or  San  Luis,  it  is  proposed  to  ex- 
tend the  line  to  Manzanillo,  a thriving  town  of  9000  people, 
the  seaport  for  Bayamo  and  Jiguani,  and  the  centre  of  a 
large  lumber  and  sugar  trade,  as  well  as  headquarters  for 
the  celebrated  Yara  tobacco  leaf,  grown  along  the  Yara 
River,  which  empties  into  the  sea  a mile  from  the  town. 

The  Ponupo  Mining  and  Transportation  Company,  which 
is  practically  the  Juragua  Mining  Company,  an  organisation 
which  has  done  more  towards  the  industrial  development  of 
Eastern  Cuba  than  all  other  agencies  combined,  proposes 
to  assume  all  the  responsibility  and  expense  of  building, 
equipping,  and  running  a first-class  road  from  Santiago  to 
Manzanillo,  a distance  of  110  miles.  Leaving  Enramadas, 
or  San  Luis,  the  road  will  pass  through  the  towns  and  vil- 
lages of  Paso  del  Corralillo,  Palma  Soriano,  Arroyo  Blanco, 
Fray  Juan,  Baire  Abajo,  Las  Piedras,  Jiguani,  Santa  Rita, 
San  Antonio,  Bayamo,  Jucaibana,  Barrancas,  Jara,  Palmas 
Altas,  and  thence  to  Manzanillo.  At  each  of  these  points 
a substantial  station  will  be  built ; all  bridges  will  be  of  iron, 
and  the  entire  construction  will  be  on  the  best  lines  of 
modern  railway  building. 

The  route  extends  through  an  almost  undeveloped  coun- 
try, rich  in  the  possibilities  of  wealth-producing.  Fine  graz- 
ing lands  abound;  the  soil  in  many  places  is  of  the  finest 
for  cane-growing;  much  of  the  territory  is  covered  with 
mahogany,  cedar,  and  other  hard  woods;  near  Baire  are 
iron  and  manganese  deposits;  at  Guisa  are  thermal  springs, 
famed  for  their  medicinal  virtues;  about  Bayamo,  a city 
of  15,000  people,  there  are  coffee  and  cocoa  lands  and 
manganese  and  zinc  deposits;  eight  miles  from  Manzan- 


Transportation  357 

illo  are  the  broad  fields  where  the  famous  tobacco  grows, 
known  as  the  Yara  leaf,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city 
eight  or  ten  large  sugar  plantations  are  in  operation.  Sev- 
eral rivers  are  crossed  on  the  route,  from  which  a vast  water 
power  may  be  secured  for  application  to  any  kind  of  manu- 
facture, and  as  the  country  is  virtually  new,  the  opportuni- 
ties for  settlers  are  unusually  good.  The  company  proposes 
to  complete  the  road  within  five  years  at  a cost  of  $2,100,- 
ooo,  and  the  facts  that  it  has  for  a long  time  been  success- 
fully conducting  the  original  road  and  that  it  is  willing  to 
spend  its  money  in  building  the  new  line,  are  ample  evidence 
that  the  road  will  fill  a long-felt  want  and  be  a productive  in- 
vestment. Its  construction  should  be  encouraged  in  every 
way  consistent  with  the  best  interests  of  all  concerned,  and 
that  it  will  soon  be  a substantial  fact,  as  well  as  a long  step 
towards  the  consummation  of  a great  trunk  line  running 
the  entire  length  of  the  Island,  goes  without  saying.  The 
author  visited  the  country  along  the  line  of  this  road  and 
speaks  from  his  own  personal  observation. 

Generally  speaking,  these  roads  are  fairly  well  built,  but 
are  in  poor  condition,  owing  to  neglect  growing  out  of  the 
war.  They  are  largely  equipped  with  American  locomo- 
tives and  cars,  usually  of  lighter  construction  than  those  in 
the  United  States.  Indeed  the  passenger  cars  are  built  for 
summer  travel,  with  wicker  seats  and  plenty  of  ventilation. 
While  some  heavy  steel  rail  is  used,  sixty  to  eighty  pounds, 
there  is  much  lighter  rail  put  down,  with  the  result  that 
riding  on  some  of  the  Cuban  roads  is  nearly  as  painful  to 
the  passenger  as  is  riding  on  the  dirt  roads.  Fair  time  is 
made  on  the  best  roads,  and  the  service  is  much  better  than 
might  be  expected.  The  stations  of  the  railways  in  the 
cities  are  often  creditable  in  architecture  and  conveniences, 
but  those  in  the  small  towns  and  the  country  need  to  be 
improved. 

It  is  more  than  possible  that  an  earlier  and  more  notice- 
able progress  in  Cuban  railway  matters  will  be  made  than  in 
any  other  important  department  of  industry  in  the  Island. 


358 


Industrial  Cuba 


In  addition  to  the  railways  herein  noted,  there  are  numerous 
private  railways  on  sugar  estates,  ranging  from  one  to  forty 
miles  in  length.  These  are  chiefly  used  in  conveying  cane 
to  the  mill,  but  in  some  instances  they  extend  beyond  the 
limit  of  the  farm  and  serve  a useful  purpose  in  local  trans- 
portation. These  roads  are  not  elaborately  constructed  or 
equipped,  but  they  are  ordinarily  satisfactory  to  the  owners 
and  patrons.  There  are  also  a number  of  short  lines  in  the 
mining  district,  connecting  the  mines  with  the  seaboard  or 
other  shipping  point. 

What  margin  of  profit  there  may  be  in  the  railroad  busi- 
ness of  Cuba  is  not  definitely  known,  as  figures  are  not 
always  accessible,  though  ten  per  cent,  dividends  and  even 
higher  have  not  been  unheard  of  in  the  past.  A table  from 
which  calculations  may  be  made  is  presented  below,  cover- 
ing the  railways  of  the  western  part  of  the  Island : 

Cuba  has  over  6,500  miles  of  coast-line,  counting  all  the 
undulations  of  the  coast,  much  of  which  is  practically  inac- 
cessible from  the  outside  by  reason  of  long  stretches  of  low- 
lying  coral  reefs;  but  within  these  natural  breakwaters  what 
is  virtually  inland  navigation  may  be  and  is  carried  on  by 
small  coastwise  vessels  of  all  kinds.  There  are,  however, 
many  miles  of  open  coast,  and  land-locked  harbours,  not 
excelled  elsewhere,  are  frequent.  There  are  fifty-four  har- 
bours in  all.  The  best  on  the  north  coast  are  Bahia  Honda, 
Cabanas,  Havana,  Matanzas,  Sagua,  Nuevitas,  Gibara,  Nipe, 
and  Baracoa;  and  on  the  south,  Guantanamo,  Santiago  de 
Cuba,  Manzanillo,  Trinidad,  and  particularly  Cienfuegos, 
which  has  one  of  the  finest  harbours  in  the  world.  With 
so  favourable  a coast-line,  added  to  the  long  and  narrow 
shape  of  the  Island,  which  brings  points  in  the  interior  so 
near  to  the  coasts,  transportation  by  water  is  naturally  given 
precedence,  and  the  shipping  trade  is  one  of  the  most  flour- 
ishing in  the  Island.  Twelve  hundred  vessels,  steam  and 
sail,  clear  from  Havana  alone  every  year,  while  the  tonnage 
of  Havana  and  eight  other  ports  in  1894  was  3,538,539 
tons,  carried  in  3181  vessels.  And  yet  with  such  a showing 


CUBAN  MULE  CART. 


Transportation 


359 


Including  the  Regia  Warehouses. 


360 


Industrial  Cuba 


the  policy  of  the  Island  with  reference  to  its  neighbour- 
ing islands  has  been  such  that  if  one  wishes  to  go  from 
Cuba  to  a near-by  island,  say  a distance  of  seventy-five  to 
one  hundred  miles,  he  must  first  go  to  New  York,  and  re- 
ship to  the  point  of  destination.  An  account  of  the  lines 
that  connect  Cuba  with  other  countries  and  the  ports  of 
Cuba  with  one  another  appears  in  the  following  chapter  on 
navigation. 

Notwithstanding  the  dangers  of  navigation  among  the 
keys,  there  are  only  nineteen  lighthouses  on  the  entire 
coast,  or  one  for  every  three  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  a 
scarcity  that  is  too  dangerous  to  be  allowed  to  continue. 
Many  of  the  harbours  are  badly  neglected,  being  permitted 
to  fill  up  with  sediment ; and  where  there  is  one  good  wharf, 
well  conditioned  and  adequate  to  the  demands  upon  it,  there 
are  a hundred  which  are  not  so.  In  this  respect  improve- 
ment is  greatly  needed,  and  American  capital  should  make  it. 

Although  Cuba  possesses  hundreds  of  running  streams, 
generally  known  as  rivers,  the  narrowness  of  the  Island 
necessarily  curtails  their  length,  and  the  longest,  the  Cauto, 
is  but  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  from  its  source  to  the  sea. 
Others  are  considerably  shorter  than  the  Cauto;  many  of 
them  are  scarcely  more  than  estuaries  putting  in  from  the 
ocean.  The  Cauto  is  navigable  for  light-draught  boats  over 
about  six  miles  of  its  course,  and  some  of  the  others  will 
permit  short  navigation  by  light  craft.  The  usefulness  of 
these  streams  as  means  of  communication  and  traffic  with  the 
sugar,  tobacco,  and  other  farms  of  the  interior,  and  with  the 
timber  districts,  may  be  greatly  enhanced  by  proper  atten- 
tion from  modern  engineers  and  a more  extensive  acquaint- 
ance with  River  and  Harbour  Appropriations  legislation. 

The  lakes  of  the  Island,  which  are  numerous,  are  usually 
small,  and  if  they  are  used  at  all  for  transportation  pur- 
poses, it  is  by  hunters  and  pleasure  seekers,  in  canoes  and 
small  boats;  though  where  it  is  possible  to  utilise  them  in 
rafting  timber  it  is  done. 

As  to  the  extent  of  the  telegraph  lines  of  Cuba,  figures 


\v*r 


A CURVE  ON  THE  VAQUAJAY  RAILROAD. 


36i 


Transportation 

vary  from  2300  to  2500  miles,  but  the  latest  Spanish  report 
is  to  the  effect  that  there  are  2300  miles,  with  153  offices, 
doing  a business  of  360,000  public  messages  a year.  The 
lines  have  been  controlled  by  the  Government,  and  tele- 
graphing has  not  been  popular  in  Cuba,  owing  to  the  strict 
and  annoying  censorship  of  the  Spanish  authorities. 

There  are  about  one  thousand  miles  of  submarine  cable 
connecting  Cuban  towns ; the  International  Ocean  Telegraph 
Company  has  a line  from  Havana  to  Florida,  connecting 
with  the  Western  Union  Telegraph  Company;  the  Cuba 
Submarine  Telegraph  Company  has  a line  from  Havana 
to  Santiago  and  Cienfuegos;  the  West  India  and  Panama 
Telegraph  Company  connects  Havana  with  Santiago,  Ja- 
maica, Porto  Rico,  the  Lesser  Antilles,  and  the  Isthmus  of 
Panama;  the  French  Submarine  Cable  Company  connects 
Havana  with  Santiago,  Haiti,  Santo  Domingo,  Venezuela, 
and  Brazil.  Nearly  all  of  these  cables  were  cut  by  the 
Americans  during  the  war. 

The  telephone  system  of  Cuba,  like  the  telegraph,  is 
in  Government  hands,  with  the  exception  of  the  lines  in 
Havana,  which  are  leased  by  a private  company,  the  Red 
Telefonica  de  la  Habana.  Telephones  have  been  in  use  for 
some  time,  and  they  exist  in  many  of  the  towns,  but  their 
use  through  the  interior  has  not  become  general,  for  the 
long-distance  telephone  is  scarcely  known  as  yet,  and  Amer- 
ican capital  may  have  the  opportunity  of  introducing  and 
developing  the  system  without  fear  of  Government  interfer- 
ence to  control  the  business. 

It  may  be  said,  in  explanation,  in  concluding  this  chapter, 
that  the  statistics  herein  presented  refer  to  the  time  before 
the  Hispano-American  war,  which  naturally  affected  steam- 
ships, railways,  and  telegraphs  more  than  any  other  business 
of  the  Island,  owing  to  their  semipublic  character.  Very 
radical  changes  may  be  made  in  the  conditions  hitherto 
existing,  but  it  is  safe  to  say  that  those  changes  will  result 
in  a vast  improvement  and  extension  of  all  these  public 
conveniences  and  essentials  to  progress. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 


NAVIGATION 

NAVIGATION,  with  Cuba,  may  be  considered  under 
three  divisions : 

a — Navigation  between  Cuba  and  foreign  countries  other 
than  the  United  States. 

b — Navigation  between  Cuba  and  the  United  States,  in- 
cluding Porto  Rico. 

c — Coasting  navigation  between  Cuban  ports. 

The  most  delicate  problem  connected  with  merchant  ship- 
ping in  Cuba  during  the  military  administration  of  the  affairs 
of  the  Island  by  the  United  States,  has  been  the  regulation 
of  the  coasting  trade.  Under  Spanish  administration,  trans- 
portation by  sea  from  one  port  in  the  Island  to  any  other 
Cuban  port  was  restricted  to  vessels  under  the  Spanish  flag 
and  of  Spanish  register.  Some  modification  of  this  regula- 
tion became  necessary  immediately  upon  American  occupa- 
tion, for,  after  Spanish  evacuation  of  the  Island,  the  obligatory 
display  of  the  Spanish  flag  in  Cuban  ports  would  have  been 
obviously  intolerable  to  the  residents.  Three  courses  were 
open  to  the  authorities  of  the  United  States : first,  the  coast- 
ing trade  of  the  Island  could  have  been  thrown  open  to  the 
vessels  of  all  nations  without  reserve;  second,  the  coasting 
trade  of  the  Island  could  have  been  restricted  to  vessels  of 
the  United  States;  and  third,  a temporary  expedient  could 
have  been  employed  which  would  reserve  the  adoption  of  a 
navigation  policy  for  Cuban  decision,  when  an  independent 
government  shall  have  been  established  and  its  flag  and 
sovereignty  recognised. 


362 


Navigation  363 

The  first  course  involved  the  most  radical  departure  from 
both  the  policy  which  always  has  obtained  in  Cuban  ports 
and  the  policy  which  has  always  obtained  in  the  United 
States,  which  had  undertaken  to  restore  stable  government 
on  the  Island.  Had  the  coasting  trade  of  the  Island  been 
thrown  open  temporarily  to  vessels  of  all  nations,  a reversal 
of  that  policy  in  the  future  could  be  effected  only  with  diffi- 
culty and  would  certainly  provoke  complaint  from  com- 
mercial nations,  eager  to  insist  that  a temporary  privilege, 
be  it  enjoyed  for  never  so  short  a time,  becomes  a vested 
right.  An  independent  Cuban  government  will  undoubtedly 
decree  that  the  coasting  trade  of  the  Island  shall  be  confined 
to  vessels  of  the  Cuban  flag.  Such  a measure  is  the  easiest 
and  quickest  method  to  begin  the  creation  of  a national 
merchant  marine,  which  will  be  a necessity  to  the  insular 
republic.  It  is  equally  certain  that  in  the  event  of  the  ultim- 
ate annexation  of  Cuba  to  the  United  States,  the  coasting 
trade  of  the  Island  will  be  confined  to  vessels  of  American 
register,  in  pursuit  of  the  traditional  policy  of  this  country. 
The  first  course  open  was  accordingly  rejected. 

The  proposition  to  confine  the  coasting  trade  of  the  Island 
to  vessels  of  American  register  was  entirely  out  of  conson- 
ance with  the  declared  purposes  of  the  United  States  in 
going  to  war  with  Spain.  That  proposition  would,  not  un- 
naturally, have  been  construed  as  notice  to  the  world  and 
to  the  Cubans  themselves  that  it  was  our  purpose  to  exploit 
the  Island  for  the  benefit  of  our  own  trade,  a purpose  entirely 
opposite  to  the  views  which  have  inspired  the  Administra- 
tion and  the  great  mass  of  the  American  people  throughout 
all  the  stages  of  discussion  and  action  upon  the  Cuban  situa- 
tion. Military  exigencies  made  it  necessary  to  provide  that 
American  vessels  should  engage  in  carrying,  from  one  port 
in  Cuba  to  another,  in  order  to  move  men,  supplies,  and 
mails.  In  the  restoration  of  trade  to  its  ordinary  channels, 
the  employment  of  some  shipping  to  fill  the  place  vacated 
by  Spanish  shipping  withdrawn  was  a necessity;  and  the 
shipping  of  the  nation  which  had  liberated  and  assumed 


364 


Industrial  Cuba 


tutelage  of  the  Cubans  was  properly  drawn  upon  for  this 
purpose.  More  than  this  the  authorities  of  the  United 
States  have  not  asked  of  the  Island  in  the  way  of  naviga- 
tion privileges;  less  than  this  could  not  have  been  taken 
consistently  with  the  purpose  to  restore  order  and  normal 
trade  conditions,  necessarily  preliminary  to  the  establish- 
ment of  an  independent  government. 

The  regulation  actually  adopted  and  in  force  since  the  1st 
of  January  contains  the  germs  of  a Cuban  merchant  marine. 
It  is  provided  that  any  resident  of  Cuba,  who  owns  a vessel, 
no  matter  where  built,  or  under  what  flag,  upon  renouncing 
his  allegiance  to  the  King  of  Spain  or  any  other  foreign 
prince,  state,  or  sovereignty  whatever,  may  obtain  from  the 
military  authorities  of  the  United  States  in  Cuba  a permit 
entitling  the  vessel  to  engage  in  the  coasting  trade  of  the 
Island.  It  is  thus  within  the  power  of  any  resident  of  the 
Island,  who  purposes  to  become  a citizen  of  the  future  re- 
public, to  own  as  many  ships  as  he  has  the  money  and  in- 
clination to  buy.  For  the  time  being  these  ship-owners 
occupy  the  anomalous  position  of  being  men  not  without  a 
country,  but  without  an  established  form  of  government  to 
which  they  can  take  allegiance.  How  long  this  anomalous 
condition  shall  continue  rests  to  a very  great  extent  with 
the  Cubans  themselves.  Their  shipping,  too,  is  virtually 
without  a flag.  Yet  in  the  designation  of  a distinctive 
signal — the  blue  flag  with  a white  union — the  authorities  of 
the  United  States  have  more  closely  consulted  historic  and 
heraldic  proprieties  than  did  the  Cubans  themselves.  The 
colours  chosen  are  those  adopted  in  different  forms  by 
Argentina,  Uruguay,  Guatemala,  Honduras,  and  Nicaragua, 
the  former  Spanish  colonies  on  the  Atlantic  which  won  and 
have  maintained  independence.  The  cynical  student  of 
history  cannot  point  to  a lone  star,  and  croak  that  we  have 
imposed  it  on  Cuba  as  a sign  that  the  history  of  Texas  is  to 
be  repeated. 

The  same  just  policy,  the  same  desire  to  consult  the  prob- 
able wishes  of  a future  independent  government,  the  same 


THE  HAVANA  FLOATING  DOCK. 


Navigation  365 

willingness  to  forego  selfish  advantages,  have  characterised 
the  formulation  of  navigation  regulations  for  the  foreign 
trade  as  for  the  coasting  trade  of  Cuba.  Under  the  war 
power,  as  construed  by  the  courts,  the  President  could, 
without  doubt,  have  so  framed  regulations  as  to  divert 
forcibly  to  the  United  States,  and  to  vessels  of  the  United 
States,  a large  share  of  the  commerce  of  the  Island  which 
now  seeks  other  channels.  Direct  taxation  is  not  the  only 
form  in  which  commerce  can  be  made  to  pay  its  contribu- 
tions toward  the  expenses  of  war.  Disregarding  narrow 
advice  to  create  opportunities  for  American  profit  out  of  the 
Cuban  situation,  the  President  and  his  advisers  have  so 
framed  the  navigation  regulations  for  foreign  trade  that  not 
only  is  there  no  discrimination  among  nations  in  trade  with 
Cuba,  but  also  the  opportunities  for  trade  between  the 
Island  and  Spain  are  greater  even  than  they  were  under 
Spain’s  own  rule;  and  the  navigation  and  port  charges  im- 
posed on  ships  and  their  cargoes  have  been  materially 
reduced. 

These  are  the  general  features  of  the  navigation  policy 
which  has  been  in  force  in  Cuba  since  the  1st  of  January. 
It  is  believed  that  the  history  of  colonies  and  dependencies 
furnishes  no  other  instance  where  the  governing  power 
has  asked  less  for  itself,  has  sought  more  carefully  to 
furnish  every  opportunity  for  the  development  of  an  inde- 
pendent mercantile  marine  and  the  extension  of  an  inde- 
pendent foreign  trade.  The  people  of  Cuba  have  it  easily 
within  their  power  to  have  within  a year  a national  ship- 
ping as  great  as  that  of  Argentina  after  ninety  years  of 
independence. 

Many  ships,  foreign  and  coastwise,  ply  between  the  ports 
of  Cuba  and  every  port  of  the  world,  especially  American 
ports,  and  a number  of  lines  have  been  long  established,  the 
most  prominent  of  these  being  the  New  York  and  Cuba 
Mail  Steamship  Company,  better  known  as  the  “ Ward 
Line,”  from  its  founder,  James  E.  Ward.  This  company, 
which  is  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the  State  of  New 


366 


Industrial  Cuba 


York,  was  organised  in  July,  1 88 1 . Its  authorised  capital 
stock  is  $2,500,000,  of  which  $2,200,000  has  been  issued 
and  paid  in.  At  the  time  of  organisation,  the  following 
steamers  were  bought  of  James  E.  Ward  & Co.,  and 
operated : 


Newport 2735  tons  Niagara 2265  tons 

Saratoga 2820  “ Santiago 2359  “ 

The  following  steamers  have  been  acquired  since  organis- 
ation : 


Cienfuegos 

Seguranca 

City  of  Washington. . . . 

...  2684  “ 

Seneca 

City  of  A lexandria 

...  2915  “ 

Vigilancia  

4115  “ 

Yumuri 

•••  3497  “ 

ATatanzas 

3094  “ 

Orizaba 

3497  “ 

Havana  

5667  “ 

Yucatati 

•••  3525  “ 

Mexico 

5667  “ 

with  a number  of  auxiliaries,  etc.,  in  list  hereafter. 
The  following  have  been  lost  and  sold : 


City  of  Alexandria Lost 

Cienfnegos “ 

Newport Sold  to  Pacific  Mail  Steamship  Company 

Yumuri Taken  by  United  States  Government 

Niagara Sold  to  United  States  Government 


The  Newport  was  sold  in  March,  1886,  to  the  Pacific  Mail 
Steamship  Company. 

In  June,  1888,  the  vessels  owned  by  the  Alexandria  Line, 
which  operated  steamers  to  Cuba  and  Mexico,  were  pur- 
chased and  added  to  the  fleet.  The  vessels  were  the  City 
of  Alexandria,  lost  in  1893,  and  the  City  of  Washington, 
which  was  thoroughly  overhauled,  renovated,  and  in  which 
were  installed  new  boilers  and  engines  in  1889.  In  1890  the 
Yumuri,  Orizaba,  and  Yucatan,  all  three  of  about  equal  di- 
mensions and  tonnage,  were  built  and  placed  in  the  service. 
In  July,  1893,  the  Seneca  was  purchased  of  the  Old  Dominion 
Steamship  Company  and  added  to  the  fleet.  In  January, 
1894,  the  Seguranca  and  the  Vigilancia,  sister  ships,  built  in 


Navigation  367 

1890  for  the  Brazil  Line,  were  purchased  and  added  to  the 
fleet.  In  1897  contracts  were  awarded  to  the  Messrs. 
Cramp  & Sons,  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  construction  of  two 
vessels  of  over  5000  tons  each.  One  of  the  vessels,  the 
Havana , has  just  been  completed,  made  18.46  knots  on  her 
trial  trip  in  January,  1899,  and  is  now  in  commission.  The 
other,  the  Mexico,  will  be  soon  launched,  completed,  and 
placed  on  the  regular  route.  Both  of  these  vessels  are  built 
under  the  provisions  of  the  Subsidy  Act  of  March  3,  1891  ; 
both  are  of  the  second  class,  available  as  auxiliary  cruisers, 
etc.,  and  exceed  in  speed  and  tonnage  the  requirements  of 
such  class.  In  August,  1898,  the  Spanish  steamer  Guido , 
captured  during  the  war  with  Spain,  was  purchased  of  the 
Government,  renamed  the  Matanzas,  and,  under  American 
register,  placed  in  the  service  as  an  auxiliary  steamer.  In 
April,  1898,  the  steamer  Niagara  was  purchased  by  the 
Government  for  use  as  an  auxiliary  to  the  navy,  and  soon 
after  the  steamer  Yumuri  was  taken  by  the  Government 
under  the  provisions  of  the  Subsidy  Act,  to  be  converted 
into  an  auxiliary  cruiser. 

The  company  has  contracted  with  the  British,  Mexican, 
and  United  States  Governments  for  service  to  and  from 
and  between  ports  in  the  Bahamas,  Mexico,  Cuba,  and  the 
United  States.  The  contracts  with  the  United  States  were 
entered  into  with  the  Post-Office  Department  in  1892. 
These  contracts  call  for  regular  service  of  ships,  which 
under  test  come  under  the  provisions  of  the  Act  of  March 
3,  1891,  as  third-class  ships,  to  ports  in  Cuba  and  Mexico. 
Under  the  provisions  of  the  Act  above  cited,  American 
crews  are  employed  and  certain  conditional  requirements 
fulfilled.  This  especial  service  has  been  maintained  unin- 
terruptedly except  during  the  Spanish  war. 

In  addition  to  its  regular  express  service,  the  company 
operates  a fleet  of  modern  freight  and  combined  freight  and 
passenger  steamers,  which  touch  at  the  principal  ports  of 
the  various  routes,  according  to  the  demand  of  traffic.  The 
line  maintains  a service  on  each  of  the  following  routes: 


3^8  Industrial  Cuba 

New  York  to  Havana,  thence  to  Tampico,  and  return,  via  Havana, 
to  New  York. 

New  York  to  Tuxpan,  via  Havana,  Progreso,  and  Vera  Cruz, 
returning  via  Frontera,  Campeche,  Progreso,  and  Havana 
to  New  York. 

New  York  to  Nassau,  thence  to  Guantanamo,  Santiago,  Manza- 
nillo and  Cienfuegos,  returning  via  Santiago  and  Nassau. 

The  sailing  on  these  routes  is  on  fixed  schedule,  as  follows : 


To  Havana  and  Tampico Saturdays 

To  Havana  and  Mexico Wednesdays 

To  Nassau  and  South  Coast  of  Cuba alternate  Thursdays 


Additional  sailings  are  frequently  made  to  the  above  ports 
by  express  ships,  and  it  is  contemplated  to  make  such  addi- 
tional sailings  fixed  ones,  subject  to  schedule,  so  that — so 
far  as  Cuba  hereafter  is  concerned — in  the  near  future,  the 
south  coast  will  have  at  least  a weekly  service,  and  Havana 
a tri-weekly  service  of  fast  express  steamships.  The  prin- 
cipal ports  of  call  in  Cuba  have  been  enumerated.  Other 
calls  are  made  from  time  to  time  when  traffic  demands  it. 

The  company  operates,  in  addition  to  its  Atlantic  fleet,  a 
number  of  steamers  of  suitable  tonnage  and  speed  to  act  as 
feeders  to  and  from  smaller  ports  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
These  vessels  act  in  combination  with  the  larger  ones  of  the 
fleet  with  which  they  connect,  and  in  addition  maintain  a 
coastwise  service. 

Lighterage  plants  at  Havana,  Santiago,  Vera  Cruz,  Tam- 
pico, Progreso,  and  tugs  at  the  principal  ports,  complete  the 
list  of  floats,  the  property  of  the  company.  Their  auxiliary 
vessels  are  the  following: 


Hidalgo 1128  tons  Atlantica  (transfer) 

Com  eta II 51  “ Dclcnfeu  (tug)  . . . . 

Manteo 584  “ Moran  (tug) 

Bailey 238  “ Francke  (tug) 


The  rates  may  vary,  but  slightly".  The  present  rates,  or 
rates  now  in  force,  are  named  in  following  tariff. 


A CUBAN  FERRY. 


Navigation  369 


EFFECTIVE  FROM  OCTOBER  17,  1898 


First  Class. 

First  Class,  Excursion. 

Second  Class. 

To  Havana 

$ 70 

$20 

“ Progreso 

• . 55 

95 

35 

“ Vera  Cruz 

105 

35 

“ Tuxpan 

1 15 

45 

“ Tampico 

105 

35 

“ Campeche 

— 75 

130 

45 

“ Frontera 

75 

13O 

45 

“ Laguna 

I30 

45 

“ Mexico  City 

65 

ns 

45 

“ Guantanamo 

IOO 

30 

“ Santiago  de  Cuba  . . . . 

IOO 

30 

“ Manzanillo 

IOO 

30 

‘ * Cienfuegos 

IOO 

30 

“ Nassau 

40 

70 

20 

These  rates  are 

for  rooms 

on  main  deck. 

An  extra 

charge  of  five  dollars  per  berth  will  be  made  for  all  hurricane- 
deck  rooms  taken  in  any  direction.  “ Stop-over  ” privilege, 
five  dollars  for  each  port. 

Children  3 to  12  years  of  age,  half  rates 

Children  under  3 years  of  age,  free 

Servants  accompanying  employers  pay  half  rates. 

Another  leading  line  is  the  Compania  Transatlantica  Es- 
panol  (Spanish  Transatlantic  Company),  whose  list  of  ships, 
taken  from  the  British  Lloyd’s  Register,  1898-99,  including 
those  vessels  sailing  to  and  from  Spanish  ports  as  well,  is  as 
follows : 

Net  Net 


Alfonso  XII 

Tonnage. 

3418 

Columbia 

Tonnage. 

Alfonso  XIII 

3585 

Co  va  donga 

3523 

Alicante 

2865 

Don  A Ivaro  de  Bazan  . . . 

Antonio  Lopez 

2238 

Fernando  Po 

Buenos  Aires 

3765 

Habana 

1573 

Cataluna 

Isla  de  Luzon 

Ciudad  Con  dal. 

Isla  de  Mindanao 

Ciudad  de  Cadiz 

1845 

Isla  de  Panay 

Colon 

3935 

Joaquin  Pielago 

390 

a4 


370 


Industrial  Cuba 


Net  Net 


Tonnage. 

Tonnage. 

Larache 

P . de  Satrustegui 

Uon  XIII 

3950 

Rabat 

514 

Manuel  L.  Villaverde. . . . 

951 

Reina  Maria  Cristina. . . , 

3634 

Mexico 

Reina  Mercedes 

2074 

Mogador 

323 

San  Augustin 

1554 

Montserrat 

San  Francisco 

Monte  Fideo 

Normannia 

3673 

3054 

San  Ignacio  de  Loyola  ... , 

This  line  runs  its  steamers  from  New  York  to  Havana 
direct  on  the  ioth,  20th,  and  30th  of  each  month.  The 
Compania  Transatlantica,  which  has  always  manifested  a 
progressive  spirit,  will,  as  soon  as  the  differences  in  the 
Spanish-American  war  are  definitely  settled,  immediately 
begin  the  extension  of  its  lines  in  the  development  of  com- 
merce between  the  West  Indies  and  the  Americas,  and  will 
seriously  entertain  the  establishment  of  a line  connecting 
the  Philippines  with  San  Francisco ; and,  as  it  has  a sufficient 
number  of  steamers  to  meet  the  requirements,  it  will  be  pre- 
pared to  inaugurate  the  service  at  once,  especially  if  the 
United  States  Government  will  enter  into  an  arrangement 
to  grant  it  a mail  service.  This  additional  service  will  in  no- 
wise affect  the  service  between  Spain  and  Cuba,  which  must 
continue  for  at  least  ten  years,  under  a contract  entered  into 
with  the  Spanish  Government. 

A third  company  is  the  Munson  Steamship  Line,  which 
carries  on  an  extensive  and  general  transportation  business 
in  chartered  steamers.  Every  Saturday  a ship  carrying 
passengers  and  freight  leaves  New  York  for  Cuban  ports, 
and  others  go  at  irregular  intervals,  carrying  freight  to  every 
port  of  any  importance  in  Cuba.  The  Munson  vessels  go 
from  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore,  carrying  coal;  others 
carry  cattle  from  Mobile,  Galveston,  and  other  American 
ports,  and  a steamer  goes  once  a month  from  Halifax. 
This  line  does  the  bulk  of  the  cattle  business  to  Cuba.  Its 
general  offices  are  in  New  York. 

There  are  a few  unimportant,  irregular  lines,  in  addition 
to  the  three  leading  lines  named,  but  they  carry  freight 


Navigation  37 1 

chiefly,  and  take  their  cargoes  as  they  can  get  them.  A 
large  number  of  “ tramp  steamers”  do  business  between 
various  American  and  Cuban  ports,  coming  and  going  as 
their  work  demands.  In  addition  to  ships  from  American 
ports,  there  are  lines  from  Havana  to  Spanish  ports;  a 
monthly  steamer  between  Vera  Cruz  and  Southampton  call- 
ing at  St.  Thomas  and  Havana;  a French  line  runs  from  St. 
Nazaire  to  Havana,  stopping  at  Santander;  lines  from 
Havana  to  Sisal  and  Vera  Cruz;  from  Havana  to  Colon, 
calling  at  Nuevitas  and  Gibara;  from  Havana  to  Porto  Rico, 
calling  at  all  Cuban  ports  on  the  north  coast;  a French  line 
from  Havana  to  Vera  Cruz  and  New  Orleans;  a German 
line  from  Havana  to  Hamburg;  and  the  little  steamers 
Olivette  and  Mascotte  of  the  Plant  Line,  best  known  to 
Americans,  who  go  from  Tampa  to  Havana  twice  a week. 

In  1894,  1309  foreign  vessels,  having  a tonnage  of  1,794,- 
597  tons,  entered  the  port  of  Havana.  Of  these  603  were 
American  and  409  Spanish,  with  a tonnage,  respectively,  of 
776,229  and  677,907.  Coastwise  steamers  are  not  included 
in  these  figures.  These  are  numerous,  and  the  service  be- 
tween Havana  and  other  Cuban  ports  is  much  better  than 
might  be  expected,  due  very  largely  to  the  fact  that  com- 
munication by  road  and  rail  between  Cuban  towns  is  so  far 
below  the  standard,  and  in  many  instances  entirely  lacking 
by  rail  and  practically  lacking  by  highways. 

Since  the  occupation  of  Cuban  ports  by  the  United  States 
authorities  amended  customs  and  port  regulations  have  been 
adopted  to  meet  the  changed  conditions  of  affairs  in  the 
Island.  The  following  port  regulations  are  taken  from  the 
latest  report  on  the  subject  issued  by  the  Treasury  Depart- 
ment : 

“ Customs  Ports  : The  port  of  Habana  has  been  duly  desig- 
nated as  the  chief  customs  port  of  Cuba,  and  the  following 
have  been  declared  to  be  subports,  viz.  : Matanzas,  Cardenas, 
Cienfuegos,  Sagua,  Caibarien,  Santiago,  Manzanillo,  Nuevitas, 
Guantanamo,  Gibara,  Baracoa,  Trinidad,  Santa  Cruz,  Zaza,  and 
Batabano,  in  the  Island  of  Cuba,  and  the  officer  of  the  Army 


372 


Industrial  Cuba 


duly  assigned  to  each  of  said  ports  as  collector,  will  have  general 
jurisdiction  of  the  collection  of  customs  at  such  ports  respect- 
ively. Every  collector  stationed  at  a subport  will  make  weekly 
reports  to  the  collector  at  Habana  of  all  transactions  at  his  sub- 
port, with  copies  of  all  entries  of  merchandise  duly  certified,  and 
all  moneys  collected  at  subports  must  be  deposited  with  the  duly 
designated  officer,  whose  receipt  therefor  must  be  taken  in  duplic- 
ate. Any  questions  arising  at  any  subport  will  be  referred  to 
the  collector  at  Habana  for  his  decision,  from  which  there  shall 
be  no  appeal,  except  in  such  cases  as  he  may  refer  for  decision 
to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

“ Entrance  and  Clearance  of  Vessels  : Every  vessel  shall, 
on  arrival,  be  placed  under  customs  control  until  duly  discharged. 
Passengers  with  no  dutiable  property  in  their  possession  may  be 
permitted  to  land  without  detention. 

“ If,  upon  the  unlading  of  any  cargo,  there  shall  be  found  goods, 
wares,  or  merchandise  not  duly  declared  on  the  manifest,  such 
articles  in  excess  shall  be  required  to  pay  additional  duties  of  25 
per  cent,  on  the  regular  duties.  Should  any  packages  or  articles 
named  on  the  manifest  be  missing  on  the  arrival  of  the  vessel, 
the  latter  shall  pay  a penalty  of  $1  per  ton  measurement,  unless 
such  deficiency  shall  be  satisfactorily  explained  or  accounted 
for. 

“ Within  twenty-four  hours  after  the  arrival  of  any  vessel  the 
master  must,  under  a penalty  for  failure  of  $1  per  ton  registry 
measurement,  produce  to  the  proper  officer  a manifest  of  her 
cargo,  with  the  marks,  numbers,  and  description  of  the  packages 
and  the  names  of  the  respective  consignees,  which  manifests,  if 
the  vessel  be  from  a port  in  the  United  States,  shall  be  certified 
by  the  collector  of  the  port  of  sailing.  If  the  vessel  be  from  any 
other  than  a United  States  port,  her  manifest  must  be  certified 
by  the  United  States  consul  or  commercial  agent  at  such  port  ; 
if  there  be  no  United  States  consul  or  commercial  agent  at  such 
port,  then  by  the  consul  of  any  nation  at  peace  with  the  United 
States  ; and  the  register  of  the  vessel  shall,  upon  her  arrival  in 
Cuba,  be  deposited  with  the  consul  of  the  nation  to  which  she 
may  belong,  if  any  there  be  ; otherwise  with  the  collector  of 
the  port,  until  the  master  shall  have  paid  such  tonnage  taxes  and 
other  port  charges  as  may  be  due  under  these  regulations. 


PIES  Of  THE  JURAGUA  IRON  CO.,  LTD. 


Navigation  373 

“ No  vessel  shall  be  allowed  to  clear  for  another  port  until  all 
her  cargo  shall  be  landed  or  accounted  for.  All  goods  not  duly- 
entered  for  payment  of  duty  within  ten  days  after  their  arrival  in 
port  shall  be  landed  and  stored,  the  expense  thereof  to  be  charged 
against  the  goods. 

“ Prior  to  the  departure  of  any  vessel  from  any  of  the  ports 
herein  designated,  the  master  shall  deposit  with  the  proper  offi- 
cer a manifest  of  the  outward  cargo  of  such  vessel,  specifying  the 
marks  and  numbers  of  packages,  a description  of  their  contents, 
with  names  of  shippers  and  consignees,  with  a statement  of  the 
value  of  each  separate  lot  ; also  names  of  passengers  and  their 
destination.  A clearance  will  then  be  granted  to  the  vessel.  No 
prohibited  or  contraband  goods  shall  be  exported. 

“ Tonnage  dues  : At  all  ports  or  places  in  Cuba  there  shall 
be  levied  the  following  tonnage  dues,  until  further  orders  : 


Per 

Net  Ton. 


( a ) On  entry  of  a vessel  from  a port  or  place  not  in  Cuba . . $0.20 

( b ) On  entry  of  a vessel  from  another  port  or  place  in  Cuba,  engaged  at 

time  of  entry  in  the  coasting  trade  of  Cuba 02 


(r)  The  rate  of  tonnage  dues  on  a vessel  which  enters  in  ballast  shall  be 
one  half  of  the  rate  imposed  by  subdivision  (a)  or  ( b ),  and  one 
half  the  tonnage  dues  imposed  on  a vessel  entering  with  cargo 
shall  be  refunded  if  the  vessel  clears  in  ballast. 

(d)  A vessel  which  has  paid  the  tonnage  tax  imposed  on  entry  from  a 
port  or  place  not  in  Cuba  shall  not  be  liable  to  tonnage  tax  on 
entering  another  port  or  place  in  Cuba  during  the  same  voyage 
until  such  vessel  again  enters  from  a port  or  place  not  in  Cuba. 

(A)  The  tonnage  tax  on  entries  of  a vessel  from  a port  or  place  not  in 
Cuba  shall  not  exceed  in  the  aggregate  $2  per  net  ton  in  any  one 
year,  beginning  from  the  date  of  the  first  payment. 

The  tonnage  tax  on  entries  of  a vessel  from  other  ports  or 
places  in  Cuba,  engaged  at  the  time  of  entry  exclusively  in  the 
coasting  trade  of  Cuba,  shall  not  exceed  40  cents  per  net  ton  in 
any  one  year,  beginning  from  the  date  of  the  first  payment. 

“ The  following  shall  be  exempt  from  tonnage  dues  : 

“ A vessel  belonging  to  or  employed  in  the  service  of  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  United  States  ; or  a vessel  of  a neutral  foreign 
government  not  engaged  in  trade  ; a vessel  in  distress  ; or  a 
yacht  belonging  to  an  organised  yacht  club  of  the  United  States 
or  of  a neutral  foreign  nation. 


374 


Industrial  Cuba 


“ The  tonnage  of  a vessel  shall  be  the  net  or  register  tonnage 
expressed  in  her  national  certificate  of  registry. 

“ Landing  Charges  : The  tax  of  $i  on  each  ton  of  merchan- 
dise imported  or  exported,  hitherto  imposed  as  a substitute  for 
tonnage  taxes,  is  abolished. 

“ The  present  exemption  of  coal  from  this  tax  is  continued. 

“ The  present  export  tax  of  5 cents  per  gross  ton  on  ore  is 
abolished. 

“ Special  Charges  at  Santiago  : 1 The  harbour  improvement 
taxes  at  Santiago  de  Cuba  will  continue  to  be  levied,  as  at 
present,  as  follows  : 


Each  steamer  entering $8.50 

Each  sailing  vessel  entering 4.25 

Each  ton  of  cargo  landed  from  a steamer 25 

Each  ton  of  cargo  landed  from  a sailing  vessel 125 

Each  ton  of  coal  landed  from  a steamer 125 

Each  ton  of  coal  landed  from  a sailing  vessel 10 


“Coasting  Trade  of  Cuba:  To  facilitate  the  occupation 
and  control  of  Cuba  by  the  military  forces  of  the  United  States 
and  the  restoration  of  order,  the  laws  now  in  force  restricting  the 
coasting  trade  of  the  Island  to  Spanish  vessels  are  hereby  modified 
as  follows  : 

“(a)  Vessels  of  the  United  States  may  engage  in  the  coasting 
trade  of  the  island  of  Cuba. 

“ (/;)  The  officer  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States  in  command 
at  any  port  of  Cuba  in  possession  of  the  United  States  is  em- 
powered to  issue  a permit  to  a resident  of  Cuba  who  owns  a 
vessel,  which  shall  entitle  such  vessel  to  engage  in  the  coasting 
trade  of  the  Island  : Provided , That  the  owner  and  master  of 
such  vessel  shall  upon  oath  before  such  officer  entirely  renounce 
and  abjure  all  allegiance  and  fidelity  to  the  King  of  Spain  or  to 
any  other  foreign  prince,  state,  or  sovereignty  whatever. 

“ Such  permits  shall  first  be  approved  by  the  general  in  com- 
mand of  the  forces  of  the  United  States  in  Cuba. 

“Vessels  entitled  under  this  paragraph  to  engage  in  the  coast- 
ing trade  of  Cuba  shall  carry  a distinctive  signal,  which  shall  be 
a blue  flag  and  the  union  of  the  flag  shall  be  a white  field. 

1 Since  this  chapter  was  written  these  charges  have  been  extended  to  all 
Cuban  ports. 


Navigation  375 

“ The  form  and  manner  of  the  issue  of  permits  provided  for 
this  paragraph  shall  be  prescribed  by  the  Secretary  of  War.” 

The  following  table  of  distances  is  given  for  reference: 

Key  West  to  Havana 93  miles 

“ “ “ nearest  point  on  Cuban  coast 86  “ 

New  York  to  Havana 1413  “ 

New  Orleans  to  Havana 475  “ 

Cape  San  Antonio  to  Cape  Catoche,  Yucatan 125  “ 

Santiago  to  Kingston,  Jamaica 200  “ 

Santiago  to  Greytown  (entrance  Nicaragua  Canal) 700  “ 


CHAPTER  XXVII 


EDUCATION  AND  RELIGION 

WHATEVER  the  Cuban  people  may  have  thought  of 
Spain  and  her  methods,  it  is  plain  that  in  one  regard, 
at  least,  the  child  deemed  its  mother  a pattern  of  excellence 
and  followed  her  example  far  beyond  the  pattern, — and  that 
regard  was  education.  Spain  has  always  been  at  the  head 
of  the  ignorant  list  among  European  countries,  but  Cuba  is 
far  worse,  for  she  has  the  sloth  of  climate  against  her,  in 
addition  to  other  handicaps,  and  the  people  are  slow  to 
avail  themselves  of  even  such  opportunities  as  they  have. 
Indeed,  the  opportunities  seem  not  to  be  lacking  for  a 
great  many,  for  there  are  laws  for  general  education, 
even  compulsory  education,  and  there  are  schools  and 
colleges ; but  neither  those  for  whose  benefit  the  laws  were 
made  nor  those  to  whom  their  execution  is  entrusted  care 
to  work  any  harder  than  is  necessary,  and  the  result  is  that 
the  proportion  of  scholars  to  population,  including  all  kinds 
of  schools,  is  as  I to  40.  The  rates  in  the  United  States 
are  1 to  4.39,  except  in  the  South,  where  they  are  1 to  8. 
Nowhere  in  rural  Cuba  does  the  country  schoolhouse  prevail 
as  we  know  it  and  feel  its  influence  all  over  the  United 
States,  and  possibly,  quite  surely  indeed,  it  will  never  exist 
there  as  it  does  with  us;  but  a great  deal  of  improvement 
can  be  made,  and  to  the  300,000  children  of  school  age  in 
Cuba  who  do  not  yet  know  their  a,  b,  c’s,  may  be  given  an 
opportunity  to  get,  at  least,  a little  sip  at  the  fountain  of 
learning.  Although  the  country  schoolhouse  was  entirely 
absent,  in  the  city  there  was  a pretence  of  having  so-called 

376 


377 


Education  and  Religion 

“ common  schools,”  but  their  teachers  were  usually  selected 
by  politicians,  and  the  pay  was  so  small  and  precarious  that 
even  the  political  “ scum  ” did  not  become  school-teachers 
until  every  other  chance  was  gone.  What  these  teachers 
were  like  may  be  guessed  at  nearly.  On  the  subject  of 
common-school  education,  Mr.  Charles  M.  Pepper,  in  a 
newspaper  letter  from  Cuba,  says: 

“ It  is  tolerably  clear  that  military  control  will  not  be  able  to 
do  much  for  Cuba  in  the  way  of  education.  The  most  that  can 
be  done  will  be  to  encourage  the  reopening  of  municipal  schools 
and  to  sustain  the  local  authorities  in  rigorously  enforcing  the 
laws  against  truancy.  The  reconcentration  has  left  large  numbers 
of  children  on  the  streets.  After  a time,  when  homes  are  found  for 
them,  it  will  be  important  that  they  shall  go  to  school.  Before 
that  the  various  towns  will  have  to  get  the  schools  opened  and 
provide  means  for  keeping  them  open.  That  will  come  when 
the  municipal  revenues  again  appear,  and  these  revenues  will  be 
slow  in  making  their  appearance.  As  for  the  teachers,  there  is 
little  prospect  for  those  from  the  United  States.  It  is  a common 
delusion  that  the  need  of  Cuba  is  a school  system  of  which  the 
basis  is  the  English  language.  One  tongue  is  all  that  the  mass 
of  the  children  can  use  during  their  primary  schooling,  and  that 
is  the  tongue  which  is  heard  all  around  them.  Reading,  writing, 
and  arithmetic  can  be  taught  in  Castilian  as  well  as  in  English. 
The  first  two  are  taught  the  easier  because  in  Spanish  every 
syllable  is  pronounced  as  written. 

“ A large  number  of  young  Cubans  who  have  been  educated  in 
the  United  States  are  now  wondering  what  they  will  do  to  earn 
a living.  Most  of  them  are  thinking  of  getting  office.  The 
best  office  that  they  could  seek  would  be  that  of  schoolmaster. 
If  any  educational  system  can  be  provided  under  which  they  will 
find  employment,  their  energies  and  their  knowledge  will  not  go 
amiss.  Most  of  them  are  full  of  sentimental  patriotism.  They 
want  to  help  raise  their  people  above  the  plane  to  which  Spanish 
rule  had  degraded  the  mass  of  the  inhabitants.  The  schoolroom 
is  the  place  in  which  to  do  it,  and  it  is  the  only  place.  These 
educated  young  Cubans  will  be  better  employed  in  teaching  than  in 
talking  politics  or  in  fretting  about  the  independence  of  the  Island. 


Industrial  Cuba 


,73 


“ This  is  said  only  of  the  municipal  schools.  I do  not  know 
when  a system  of  country  schools  can  be  established  in  Cuba. 
The  present  problem  is  to  get  what  is  left  of  the  reconcentrado 
population  back  into  homes  in  the  country,  and  to  raising  crops 
which  will  support  them.  Some  progress  has  been  made.  Next 
year  they  may  all  be  back  on  their  farms  and  on  the  plantations. 
Then  it  will  be  possible  to  plan  schooling  for  the  children  of  the 
fields.  In  the  meantime  the  education  of  the  few  Cuban  youths 
at  American  colleges  does  not  solve  the  question.  That  is  praise- 
worthy in  its  way,  but  the  mass  of  children  in  Cuba  cannot  be 
transferred  in  a body  to  the  States,  nor  is  it  desirable  that  they 
should  be  taken  away.  They  have  got  to  be  given  their  schooling 
in  the  midst  of  the  surroundings  to  which  they  are  born.  That 
can  only  be  done  by  planting  the  schoolhouse.  It  will  not  be  a 
little  red  one,  most  likely  will  not  be  painted  at  all,  for  the  bam- 
boo frames  and  the  palm  thatching  do  not  need  to  be  painted. 
When  the  country  schoolmaster  (or  perhaps  under  the  new  con- 
ditions it  will  be  the  country  schoolma’am)  becomes  part  of  the 
rural  life  of  Cuba  the  future  will  no  longer  be  blank.” 

While  it  scarcely  seems  necessary  to  comment  upon  mat- 
ters of  the  past,  which  will  soon  undergo  such  changes  as 
scarcely  to  be  recognisable,  still  history  is  interesting,  and  a 
short  description  of  the  University  of  Havana,  the  chief 
educational  agency  of  the  Island,  its  purpose  and  its  future, 
by  Dr.  Joaquin  Lastres,  will  not  be  inappropriate.  It  may 
be  said  of  the  University  that  it  has  branches  in  all  the  pro- 
vinces, and  numbered  before  1898  about  3000  students,  1800 
of  whom  were  in  Havana.  Dr.  Lastres  writes  as  follows, 
under  date  of  September,  1898,  in  Havana: 

“ The  University  of  Havana,  which  is  the  highest  institution 
of  instruction  in  the  Island  of  Cuba,  has,  ever  since  its  founda- 
tion in  1721,  had  a personality  of  its  own,  and  consequently  it 
has  never  been  considered  a property,  or  dependency  of  the 
State  ; but,  like  municipalities  and  deputations,  has  constituted 
an  institution,  self-supporting  as  regards  the  State.  Since  its 
foundation  it  has  occupied  buildings  that  have  not  been  State 
property.  At  the  beginning,  its  own  property  and  income  maim 


OLD  ARCH  OF  THE  JESUIT  COLLEGE,  HAVANA. 


379 


Education  and  Religion 

tained  it  ; but  in  1842,  without  removing  its  own  judicial  indi- 
viduality, the  State  undertook  its  maintenance  in  exchange  for 
the  confiscation  of  its  property  and  income.  The  Institute)  de  2a 
Ensehanza  (The  Institution  of  Elementary  Instruction)  is  only  a 
dependency  of  the  University  under  the  same  judicial  conception, 
owing  to  its  having  substituted  the  old  College  of  the  University, 
which  in  its  turn  was  formed  of  several  schools  teaching  different 
branches  of  learning,  which  were  within  the  sphere  of  the  Uni- 
versity’s jurisdiction  at  the  time  of  its  foundation  in  1721.  Con- 
sequently, this  elementary  school  has  to-day  the  same  judicial 
character  as  the  University. 

“ The  property  and  estate  seized  by  the  State  in  exchange  for 
the  obligation  to  maintain  this  institution  were  numerous  and 
important  ; a full  statement  is  to  be  found  in  the  Treasury  De- 
partment of  this  city.  Among  the  properties  may  be  mentioned 
quit-rents  in  favour  of  the  University,  the  building  occupied  by 
the  old  College  of  Pharmacy,  the  building  occupied  by  the  Uni- 
versity ‘Instituto,’  the  important  sums  of  money  delivered  to 
the  State  when  it  undertook  the  maintenance  of  the  College,  and 
several  other  effects.  Some  of  this  property  has  been  already 
expropriated  by  the  State  partially  or  totally. 

“ By  the  law  of  the  24th  of  March,  1883,  published  in  the 
Gacota  de  la  Habana  on  the  5th  of  the  following  May,  it  was  de- 
cided to  construct  a new  University,  the  necessary  funds  to  be 
raised  by  the  sale  of  the  building  occupied  by  the  University  and 
Instituto,  the  sale  of  State  property  not  yet  expropriated  origi- 
nally occupied  by  the  old  city  walls,  provided  this  property  be 
free  of  all  incumbrances,  the  sale  of  other  lands  in  Havana  be- 
longing to  the  State  not  yet  disposed  of,  gifts  and  subscriptions 
that  may  be  obtained  for  this  object  by  the  Governor-General  of 
the  Island,  and  the  amount  annually  .fixed  in  the  budget  of  the 
Island  as  an  appropriation  to  this  end.  The  subscription  was 
never  started,  nor  was  any  appropriation  made  for  it.  The  same 
law  that  assigned  the  means  of  raising  the  funds  declared  it  a 
public  benefit  and  liable  to  compulsory  appropriation. 

“The  royal  decree  of  the  7th  of  July,  1883,  ordered  the 
Governor-General  of  this  Island  to  commence  the  construction 
of  the  University  building,  and  blocks  eight  and  nine  of  the  old 
city  walls  were  chosen  by  the  State  architect.  The  corner-stone 


380 


Industrial  Cuba 


of  this  building  was  solemnly  laid  at  9 o’clock  a.m.  of  the  23d 
of  January,  1884,  his  Excellency,  the  Governor-General  Don 
Ignacio-Maria  del  Castillo  y Gil  de  laf  Torre,  as  President,  in  the 
presence  of  the  authorities,  corporations,  civil  functionaries,  and 
a number  of  invited  guests.  This  stone  remains  in  the  corner 
where  it  was  placed  in  the  grounds  chosen  for  the  new  University. 

“ By  decree  of  the  9th  of  August,  1886,  the  Botanical  Gardens 
of  this  city  were  ordered  to  be  a dependency  of  this  University, 
as  they  continue  to  be. 

“ The  scant  scientific  material  of  this  University,  and  the  valu- 
able collections  of  the  Havana  Institute?,  and  also  the  modest  ap- 
purtenances of  the  Matanzas  Institution  are  all  the  exclusive 
property  of  the  colleges  in  which  they  are,  as  they  have  been 
acquired  by  the  same  and  they  have  the  legal  right  to  their 
possession. 

“ The  library  belongs  to  the  University,  as  nearly  all  the  books 
came  from  the  Pontifical  Library  ; the  appropriation  made  by 
the  State  in  the  annual  budget  for  the  University  Library  has 
scarcely  sufficed  to  provide  for  its  care.  A good  proportion  of  the 
books  are  donations  of  professors  and  private  individuals,  and 
are  mostly  valuable  acquisitions. 

“ As  all  the  present  furniture  of  the  University  is  new  and  has 
been  paid  for  with  the  proceeds  of  the  academical  dues  of  the 
different  faculties,  in  other  words,  with  the  University  funds,  it 
must  be  considered  as  University  property.  The  archives  of  the 
secretary’s  department  referring  to  the  files  of  those  graduated 
from  the  University  should  be  retained  as  the  University  has  an 
individuality  of  its  own,  and  these  documents  being  purely  of  a 
personal  character  can  have  no  interest  for  outsiders.  Files  of 
an  administrative  character  and  those  relating  to  examinations 
and  degrees  should  certainly  be  kept  in  the  University  archives. 
Those  professors  who  decide  to  remain  in  Cuba  should  have 
their  files  kept  in  the  secretary’s  department  of  this  University  ; 
those  who  may  wish  to  be  changed  to  some  university  in  Spain, 
or  who  may  not  renounce  the  Spanish  citizenship,  may  obtain  at 
their  own  expense  a certified  copy  of  their  files  or  a certificate 
of  their  services  duly  legalized,  the  originals  to  be  kept  in  the 
archives  of  this  University  so  long  as  its  individuality  be  retained. 

“ Such  titles  as  may  have  been  given  during  Spanish  sov- 


OLD  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  AT  LA  COPERA. 


3§i 


Education  and  Religion 

ereignty  in  the  West  Indies  should  be  respected,  both  in  Spain 
and  in  Cuba  and  Porto  Rico,  without  in  any  way  interfering  with 
such  rights  as  may  be  acquired  by  those  obtaining  titles  given 
after  the  cessation  of  Spanish  sovereignty  in  Cuba,  which  will 
depend  upon  the  laws  which  may  be  applied  to  both  countries 
in  this  connection. 

“Cuban  students,  who  have  commenced  their  studies  in  Span- 
ish universities,  whether  in  Cuba  or  in  Spain,  after  cessation  of 
Spanish  sovereignty,  should  be  given  credit  for  the  courses  of 
study  followed  whether  in  Cuba  or  in  Spain,  adapting  their  future 
studies,  as  much  as  possible,  to  any  new  plans  adopted.  It  would 
be  well  to  give  a maximum  limit  of  five  years  to  those  who  may 
have  commenced  their  studies  under  old  plans,  in  which  to  finish 
them,  whether  such  studies  be  elementary  or  superior. 

“ All  professors  remaining  in  this  Island  should  have  all  their 
rights  respected,  including  promotions,  prizes,  and  superannua- 
tions, which  they  may  be  entitled  to,  including  excedencia.  The 
Spanish  sovereignty  should  also  respect  the  rights  of  all  profess- 
ors who  may  go  to  other  universities  of  the  kingdom,  whatever  in- 
stitution of  this  Island  they  may  come  from  in  order  of  antiquity.” 

Dr.  Joaquin  Lastres. 

Of  more  interest  and  of  more  future  potency,  scope,  and 
applicability  is  the  “ Industrial  School  of  Havana,”  by  Di- 
rector Fernando  Aguado  y Rico,  who  goes  into  details 
which  are  here  given  in  full  to  show  how  elaborate  are 
Spanish  educational  laws  and  details  of  instruction,  and 
how  very  little  more  work  in  that  line  will  have  to  be  done 
by  whatever  American  talent  may  be  called  upon  to  conduct 
an  educational  advance  along  these  and  other  lines  in  Cuba. 
The  Director  says: 

“In  regard  to  the  origin  of  the  school,  one  of  the  originators 
proposed  to  the  city  to  establish  this  school,  which  proposition 
was  accepted.  We  first  began  with  night  courses  and  then  day 
and  night  classes  and  some  workshops.  We  have  not  been  able 
to  keep  the  workshops  going  owing  to  lack  of  funds,  but  I think 
this  school  is  a nucleus  from  which  to  enlarge  this  work. 

“We  do  not  graduate  civil  engineers  from  our  school,  and  our 


382 


Industrial  Cuba 


aim  is  to  teach  these  boys  carpentering,  mechanical  pursuits,  and 
industrial  chemistry,  though  the  laboratories  have  not  yet  been 
established.  There  is  a great  lack  of  elementary  schools  here 
with  industrial  applications.  This  is  something  like  a manual- 
training school,  and  like  the  one  of  arts  and  trades  in  Paris.  I 
studied  systems  in  France,  Belgium,  and  the  United  States,  and 
so  far  as  possible  have  applied  the  best  of  these  systems  here.  I 
graduated  in  1881  in  physical  chemistry  in  the  Department  of 
Science  in  the  University  here,  and  the  next  year  I commenced 
teaching. 

“ It  does  not  cost  the  pupil  anything  to  attend  this  school. 
There  is  an  absolute  lack  of  anything  between  the  higher  engineer 
and  the  ordinary  labourer.  Mechanics,  agriculturists,  and  indus- 
trial chemists  are  most  needed  here,  and  the  aim  of  the  school  is  to 
supply  these.  There  are  a good  many  architects  here  who  build 
houses  but  know  nothing  about  mechanics,  and  a good  many 
engineers  who  do  not  know  anything  about  a steam-engine,  being 
merely  copies  of  what  they  have  seen  other  men  do.  There  are 
absolutely  no  draughtsmen  here,  though  there  is  a great  demand 
for  them.  The  school  will  be  extended  as  soon  as  we  have  the 
means. 

“ The  School  of  Arts  and  Trades  is  a public  institution  of  instruc- 
tion, depending  on  the  Provincial  Deputation  of  Havana,  con- 
sistent with  the  rights  which  these  institutions  are  entitled  to  by 
Article  147  of  the  present  Plan  of  Studies  (Educational  Law). 

“ The  courses  of  instruction  of  this  school  are  divided  into 
two  sections  — day  classes  and  night  classes.  Instruction  is 
absolutely  free  and  only  day-scholars  are  allowed. 

“ The  day  classes  comprise  : 

“ Preparatory  instruction  for  admission. 

“ Technical  industrial  instruction. 

“ The  night  classes  are  intended  to  give  workmen  opportunities 
to  improve  themselves  in  their  trades,  acquiring  technical  know- 
ledge of  their  work. 

“These  are  divided  into  : 

“ Oral  instruction  and  drawing  classes. 

“Graphical,  numerical,  and  analytical  exercises  in  connection 
with  the  above. 

“Assays,  analysis,  and  manipulation. 


383 


Education  and  Religion 

“ Practical  work  in  the  shops  of  the  school,  giving  instruction 
of  a practical  character  and  in  connection  with  the  theoretical 
courses,  besides  giving  the  ways  of  judging  the  quality  of  the  raw 
materials  ; names,  description,  and  use  of  different  utensils  and 

tools. 

“DAY  CLASSES— PREPARATORY  INSTRUCTION 

Writing  Geography  and  Spanish  His- 

Religion  and  Morals.  tory. 

Spanish  Grammar  and  Spelling.  Elements  of  Geometry  and 
Arithmetic.  Geometrical  Drawing. 

“ The  foreign  studies  are  adapted  to  those  to  be  followed  by 
the  students  in  the  other  courses  and  which  constitute  the  main 
object  of  the  school.  The  students  of  these  courses  do  some 
simple  work  in  the  shops. 

“ To  be  admitted  to  the  preparatory  courses  at  the  request  of 
fathers,  tutors,  or  trustees,  it  is  necessary  : 

“(1)  To  be  at  least  eleven  years  old  on  the  xst  of  September. 

“ (2)  To  know  how  to  read  and  write  well. 

“The  admission  term  will  be  during  all  September. 

“The  number  of  inscriptions  for  preparatory  courses  will  be 
limited  to  100,  the  most  promising  being  selected  from  such  as 
may  apply,  preference  being  given  to  the  children  of  artisans. 

“Vacancies  up  to  the  end  of  December  to  be  covered  as  they 
occur. 

“ Examinations  to  take  place  during  the  last  ten  days  of  June. 

“Vacations  will  last  from  the  end  of  the  examinations  to  the 
31st  day  of  August. 

“ In  September,  students  who  may  have  failed  in  previous 
examinations,  those  not  yet  examined,  and  new  scholars  will 
attend  the  courses. 

“ Those  who  may  have  studied  and  passed  the  examinations  in 
the  school  of  the  preparatory  courses  will  be  entitled  to  com- 
mence the  technical  courses. 

“TECHNICAL  INDUSTRIAL  INSTRUCTION 

“Young  men  wishing  to  be  admitted  to  the  courses  of  Techni- 
cal Industrial  Instruction  at  the  request  of  their  fathers,  tutors, 
or  trustees  must : 


3§4 


Industrial  Cuba 


“ (i)  Be  at  least  twelve  years  old  on  October  ist. 

“(2)  Have  followed  the  preparatory  courses. 

“ Examinations  for  admission  to  this  section  will  take  place  on 
the  26th  of  September  at  12  m, 

“ Petitions  for  admission  should  be  addressed  to  the  Director, 
and  will  be  received  up  to  the  previous  day. 

“ Both  spoken  and  written  exercises  will  be  given  in  these 
examinations. 

“ The  written  exercises  will  consist  in  : 

“(1)  Dictation. 

“ (2)  A problem  in  Arithmetic. 

“ (3)  A problem  in  Geometry,  applying  the  metric  system. 

“ (4)  Free-hand  croquis  with  boundaries. 

“ The  written  exercises  will  be  the  same  for  all  the  applicants, 
and  will  be  all  on  the  same  day  and  hour,  which  will  be  duly 
announced  beforehand. 

“ The  Board  of  Examiners  for  admission  will  be  constituted  by 
the  Director  of  the  schools,  the  President,  the  Professors  of 
Grammar,  Geography,  and  History,  one  of  Mathematics,  one  of 
Drawing,  and  the  Instructor  of  the  preparatory  course,  who  will 
act  as  secretary. 

“Technical  instruction  will  be  divided  into  general  and  special 
for  Constructors,  Mechanics,  and  Industrial  Chemists. 

“ General  instruction  comprises  the  theory  of  the  following 
subjects  applied  to  Industrial  Arts  and  the  apprenticeship  in  the 
shops : 

“Spanish  Grammar;  Geography  and  History;  Arithmetic; 
Geometry  ; Elementary  Algebra  ; Trigonometry  ; Applied 
Geometry  ; Completion  of  Mathematics  ; Descriptive  Geo- 
metry ; Elements  of  Physics,  with  practical  applications  ; 
Elementary  Chemistry,  with  experiments  ; Elementary  Me- 
chanics, with  practical  applications  ; Elements  of  Hygiene  ; 
Notions  of  Accounting  and  Industrial  Economy  ; Geometrical, 
Mechanical,  and  Applied  Drawing  ; Ornamental  and  Decorative 
Drawing. 

“ Woodwork  : Carpenter’s  work  and  turning  ; models. 

“Metal-work:  Mechanics;  forge;  adjusting. 

“ The  special  studies  comprise  a separate  course  each  as 
follows  : 


dfr'."'  ' 

1 

1 

m: 

THE  CATHEDRAL,  HAVANA. 


385 


Education  and  Religion 


Civil  Constructors 


Mechanics 


j Applied  Mechanics. 

( Construction  and  Architecture. 

( Industrial  Mechanics. 

-<  Steam-Engines  and  Elements  of  Machine 
( Construction. 

{Industrial  Physics. 

Industrial  Chemistry  and  Chemical 
Analysis. 


“ The  tuition  of  each  special  course  is  complemented  with 
graphical  work,  applied  drawing,  plans,  and  practices. 

“ Special  studies  cannot  be  followed  unless  the  general  courses 
have  been  studied. 

“ The  courses  will  commence  on  the  first  Monday  of  October 
and  will  close  on  the  eve  of  the  examinations,  which  will  take 
place  in  June  on  the  days  and  hours  that  may  be  chosen. 

“ July  and  August  are  vacation  months,  but  a limited  amount 
of  work  in  the  shops  will  be  continued,  as  may  be  determined 
by  the  Board  of  Professors.  In  September  the  extra  examinations 
will  take  place. 


“ NIGHT  CLASSES 

“ To  be  admitted  to  the  night  classes,  it  is  necessary : 

“ (i)  To  be  at  least  twelve  years  old. 

“ (2)  To  know  how  to  read  and  write  well  and  the  rudiments 
of  Grammar,  Arithmetic,  and  Geometrical  Drawing. 

“ Those  under  fifteen  must  call  accompanied  by  their  fathers 
or  tutors  when  applying  for  admittance. 

“ Admittance  examinations  will  take  place  in  September. 

“ The  night  classes  comprise  the  following  courses  : 


Written  exercises. 

Grammar. 

Arithmetic. 

Geometry  with  practical  appli- 
cations 

Elementary  Algebra. 

Physics  with  practical  applica- 
tions. 

Ornamental  and  ! 


Chemistry  with  practical  appli- 
cations. 

Mechanics  with  practical  appli- 
cations. 

Geometrical  and  Mechanical 
Drawing. 

Geometrical  and  Applied  Draw- 
ing. 

:orative  Drawing. 


386 


Industrial  Cuba 


“ In  studying  these  courses  the  following  rules  shall  be 
observed  : 

“(i)  Arithmetic  and  Geometry  with  practical  applications 
shall  precede  all  the  oral  courses,  excepting  Grammar. 

“ (2)  Geometrical  Drawing  shall  precede  Mechanical  and 
Applied  Drawing. 

“ The  term  for  inscribing  in  the  night  courses  shall  be  during 
all  September. 

“ All  persons  soliciting  matriculation  in  the  night  courses  shall 
be  admitted  free  of  charge. 

“ REGULATIONS  : 

“ All  courses  shall  be  public  and  anyone  is  entitled  to  attend 
with  the  sanction  of  the  Director.  No  dues  are  charged  for 
matriculation  or  the  examinations  that  may  be  necessary  to  get 
a diploma. 

“New  students  are  entitled  to  inscribe  in  the  higher  courses 
prior  to  payable  examinations,  once  they  show  having  followed 
the  elementary  courses  in  some  other  institution. 

“ During  the  college  term  the  classes  will  be  suspended  only 
on  Sundays,  holidays,  Saints’-days,  and  birthdays  of  the  King 
and  Queen,  All-Souls  Day,  from  December  23d  to  January  2d, 
the  three  days  of  Carnival,  Ash  Wednesday  and  the  last  four 
days  of  Holy  Week,  Easter,  and  Pentecost. 

“ The  matriculation  term  shall  be  all  of  September.  Applicants 
will  solicit  the  same  in  printed  forms  furnished  by  the  school, 
together  with  this  prospectus. 

“ Duties  of  Students  : Students  will  attend  the  courses 
punctually  and  with  decorum  ; they  will  endeavour  to  benefit  by 
the  lessons  of  the  professors,  doing  the  work  assigned  to  them  in 
connection  with  their  studies  and  the  trade  they  may  be  follow- 
ing. They  will  use  a special  suit  for  working  in  the  shops,  a 
model  of  which  will  be  furnished  by  the  school. 

“ Due  respect  will  be  shown  the  Director,  professors,  and 
the  shop  instructors.  The  file  of  each  student  will  show  the 
prizes  he  may’  be  given,  as  well  as  the  punishment  he  may  re- 
ceive. 

“ Should  a student  commit  some  offence  deserving  special 


Education  and  Religion  387 

punishment,  either  the  Director  will  be  charged  to  administer  it, 
or  a ‘ Council  of  Discipline  ’ as  specified  in  the  present  Laws 
of  Public  Instruction. 

“ The  fathers,  tutors,  trustees  of  the  students,  will  attend  to  be- 
ing informed  every  month  of  the  behaviour  and  progress  of  their 
charges,  calling  at  the  secretary’s  department  where  the  informa- 
tion on  the  subject  will  be  exposed  for  inspection. 

“ Examinations  : Examinations  for  passing  to  higher  classes 
are  divided  into  ordinary  and  extraordinary.  The  former  to 
take  place  in  June,  the  latter  in  September. 

“ In  June  such  students  will  be  examined  as  the  professors 
may  consider  deserving  it.  Those  failing  to  go  to  the  examina- 
tions when  called  upon,  may  do  so  the  next  time  the  examiners 
meet  if  they  justify  their  previous  absence. 

“ In  September  may  be  examined  : 

“ (1)  Those  included  in  these  lists  by  the  professors. 

“ (2)  Those  who  may  have  been  absent  at  the  June  ex- 
aminations. 

“(3)  Those  failing  to  pass  in  June. 

“ (4)  Those  wishing  to  improve  their  record  in  the  June 
examinations. 

“ Prizes  : To  encourage  students,  the  School  will  distribute 
prizes  every  year,  consisting  of  medals,  books,  instruments,  tools, 
etc. 

“One  prize  will  be  given  for  every  25  students;  “honourable 
mention  ” will  besides  be  made  of  others. 

“ Only  those  rated  first-class  in  each  course  may  be  awarded 
prizes. 

“ There  will  be  extraordinary  prizes,  awarded  by  competition, 
during  the  first  fortnight  of  September. 

“ Diplomas  : Students  will  be  given  at  the  end  of  the  third 
year  a certificate  or  diploma  of  general  instruction  and  appren- 
ticeship of  the  trade  they  may  have  followed,  if  their  practical 
work  of  the  three  years’  course  is  considered  satisfactory. 

“ Those  finishing  a special  course  are  entitled  to  a diploma, 
after  a theoretical  and  practical  examination.  These  examina- 
tions may  be  solicited  at  any  time  excepting  during  July  and 
August.  Those  failing  in  their  first  examinations  will  have  to 
wait  at  least  two  months  before  being  examined  again. 


388 


Industrial  Cuba 


“ A certificate  of  the  studies  followed  and  practical  work  done 
by  each  student  will  accompany  every  diploma. 

“ The  Director, 

“ Fernando  Aguado  y Rico. 

“ Havana,  August,  1898. 

“ School  : Diputacion  Provincial , 32  Empedrado  St. 

“ Shops  : Belascoain  St.,  between  Maloja  and  Sitios  Sts.” 

The  following  figures  indicate  what  amount  of  public 
money  goes  to  the  cause  of  education  in  Cuba: 


University $120,650 

Department  of  Secretary  of  Public  Instruction 58,300 

Professional  School 18,300 

Drawing  and  Fine  Arts  School 8,750 

Normal  School  for  Schoolmasters  and  Schoolmistresses 25,147 

Total $231,147 


The  municipalities  in  all  the  Island  pay  $775,646  for  888 
schools  for  boys  and  girls  (1893),  four  per  cent,  on  all 
municipal  taxes  taken  from  this. 

The  Provincial  Elementary  State  Schools  are  paid  by  the 
Diputaciones  Provinciales.  (Paid  out  of  cedilla  tax.) 

In  1893  they  (the  Diputaciones  Provinciates')  paid: 


Havana $ 37,550 

Pinar  del  Rio  (closed) 12,650 

Matanzas 14,650 

Santa  Clara 15,900 

Puerto  Principe 14,650 

Santiago  de  Cuba 15,900 

Total $110,400 


The  religion  of  the  Island  is  Roman  Catholic,  and  no 
other  religious  bodies  are  permitted  to  exercise  their  belief 
in  public,  although  no  interference  has  ever  been  attempted 
with  individual  belief  so  long  as  the  individual  was  careful 
not  to  interfere  with  the  established  religion.  There  are  no 
churches  of  any  kind  except  Catholic  and  Baptist. 

From  the  beginning  until  1788  the  Island  consisted  of  a 
single  diocese  with  the  seat  of  the  bishop  at  Santiago  de 


THE  CATHEDRAL,  SANTIAGO  DE  CUBA. 


3§9 


Education  and  Religion 

Cuba,  which  has  always  been  the  religious  centre;  but  in 
that  year  the  diocese  of  Havana  was  created,  with  a bishop 
in  charge,  and  Santiago  was  erected  into  a bishopric  with  an 
archbishop.  The  religious  festivals  and  celebrations  at  San- 
tiago are  observed  with  an  attempt  at  magnificence  nowhere 
else  approached  on  the  Island. 

The  priests  of  the  Island  are  appointed  by  the  archbishop 
and  bishop,  and  as  a rule  the  Captain-General  has  not  in- 
terfered to  any  extent  with  religious  matters.  Generally 
speaking,  the  Cuban  men,  outside  of  the  profession  of  the 
Church,  do  not  pay  much  attention  to  religious  observances, 
leaving  that  duty  mainly  to  the  women. 

The  Church  has  always  been  a State  institution  and  re- 
ceives its  regular  annual  allowance  in  the  budget,  in  addition 
to  its  private  income,  which  is  not  small.  In  1 894  the  amount 
given  by  the  Government  amounted  to  $385,588.  Under 
the  new  order  there  will  be  no  union  of  Church  and  State, 
neither  will  there  be  any  interference  with  the  religious  be- 
lief and  practice  of  the  people.  Every  denomination  will 
have  equal  rights  in  New  Cuba. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 


A VISIT  TO  GENERAL  GOMEZ 

THE  following  account  of  the  author’s  official  visit  to 
General  Gomez  has  an  important  bearing  on  the  future 
of  the  Island,  and  is  deemed  of  enough  importance  to  insert 
here  in  full. 

Washington,  D.  C., 
February  6,  1899. 

Hon.  Lyman  J.  Gage , 

Secretary  of  t]ie  Treasury, 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Sir: 

Acting  in  accordance  with  your  instructions,  and  after 
consulting,  as  you  suggested,  the  President,  Secretary  of 
State,  and  Secretary  of  War,  I proceeded  on  the  afternoon 
of  Friday,  January  27th,  to  Havana.  Arriving  in  Havana 
Monday  morning,  January  30th,  I called  upon  Major-Gen- 
eral John  R.  Brooke,  Governor-General  and  Commander  of 
the  United  States  forces  in  Cuba,  and  presented  the  follow- 
ing letter  from  the  Secretary  of  War: 

“ War  Department, 

“Washington,  D.  C., 

“ January  27,  1899. 

“ Dear  Sir  : 

“ Hon.  Robert  P.  Porter,  Commissioner  appointed  by  the  Presi- 
dent to  investigate  and  report  upon  the  general  tax  questions  of 
the  Island  of  Cuba,  goes  to  Cuba  to  investigate  those  matters  fur- 
ther, and  also  to  confer  with  you  upon  matters  that  he  will  sug- 
gest to  you. 


390 


A Visit  to  General  Gomez 


39i 


“Mr.  Porter  has  the  entire  confidence  of  the  President,  who 
directs  that  any  subject  he  may  bring  to  your  attention  shall 
receive  your  careful  and  immediate  attention  and  co-operation. 

“ Very  truly  yours, 

“ R.  A.  Alger, 

“Secretary  of  War. 

“ Major-General  J.  R.  Brooke, 

“ Military  Governor  and  Division  Commander, 

“ Havana,  Cuba.” 

General  Brooke  was  informed  that  the  President  wished 
to  bring  about  an  informal  and  friendly  conference  between 
the  commander  of  the  United  States  army  in  Cuba  and 
General  Maximo  Gomez,  commander-in-chief  of  the  Cuban 
forces,  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  harmony,  disbanding 
the  Cuban  army,  and  aiding  the  people  of  the  Island,  now 
under  arms,  to  return  again  to  their  peaceful  occupations. 
General  Brooke  was  furthermore  informed  that  the  sum  of 
$3,000,000  was  available  for  the  relief  of  the  Cuban  army  as 
soon  as  some  practical  plan  could  be  arranged  for  its  dis- 
tribution ; and  that  in  this  distribution  it  was  the  President’s 
wish  that  General  Gomez  should  be  consulted.  The  ques- 
tion of  the  payment  of  the  Cuban  troops  had  been  brought 
before  your  Commissioner  by  a commission  of  Cuban  gentle- 
men, December  14th,  and  a report  made  thereon  to  you 
January  13th.'  This  report,  together  with  the  following 
memoranda  left  with  the  Secretary  of  War  by  the  Secretary 
of  the  Cuban  Commission,  was  submitted  to  General  Brooke. 

“MEMORANDA 

“ Suggestions  presented  by  Colonel  J.  R.  Villalon  of  the  Cuban 
Commission  regarding  the  distribution  of  funds  appropriated 
and  to  be  expended  on  behalf  and  for  the  relief  of  the  Cuban 
army. 

“ 1.  A Cuban  officer  should  co-operate  with  the  American  dis- 
bursing officer  for  the  distribution  of  funds. 


See  Chapter  XIV. 


392 


Industrial  Cuba 


“ 2.  The  $100  to  be  paid  per  person  is  to  be  in  part  payment 
of  his  dues. 

“ 3.  Cubans  shall  surrender  their  arms  to  the  Cuban  Assembly 
or  its  appointed  representatives. 

“ 4.  Immediate  action  is  necessary. 

“ Washington,  D.  C. 

“January  26,  1899.” 


It  was  explained  to  General  Brooke  that  the  President  did 
not  wish  this  money  or  any  part  thereof  to  be  paid  out  as 
part  payment  of  salaries  or  dues,  but  simply  as  a relief  to 
the  army  and  an  assistance  to  those  willing  to  lay  down 
their  arms  and  return  to  peaceful  pursuits.  General  Brooke 
entered  cordially  into  these  plans  and  said  he  would  be  glad 
to  welcome  General  Gomez  to  Havana  and  avail  himself  of 
the  General’s  co-operation  in  the  manner  suggested.  To 
this  end  General  Brooke  gave  your  Commissioner  the  fol- 
lowing letter  of  introduction  to  General  Gomez: 

“ Headquarters  Division  of  Cuba, 

“ Havana,  January  30,  1899. 

“ General  Maximo  Gomez , 

“ General-in-Chief  of  the  Cuban  Army. 

“ General  : — I desire  to  introduce  to  you  Honourable  Robert 
P.  Porter,  Special  Commissioner  of  the  United  States  to  Cuba, 
who  desires  to  meet  you  and  will  explain  his  mission  to  you  in 
person. 

“ When  you  feel  that  you  can  find  it  convenient  to  come  this 
way  I shall  be  most  happy  to  see  you. 

“ I am,  General, 

“ Very  respectfully, 

(Signed)  “John  R.  Brooke, 

“ Major-General.” 

General  Brooke  offered  one  or  more  members  of  his  staff 
as  escorts,  and  the  services  of  Captain  J.  A.  Campbell  were 
accepted.  With  General  Leonard  Wood,  who  was  in 
Havana,  your  Commissioner  also  had  an  informal  confer- 
ence, and  was  glad  to  learn  that  General  Wood  heartily  ap- 


A Visit  to  General  Gomez 


393 


proved  of  the  plan  of  co-operation  with  General  Gomez  to 
aid  in  disbanding  the  army  and  in  the  reconstruction  of 
Cuba.  Lieutenant  Hanna,  of  General  Wood’s  staff,  was 
also  assigned  to  your  Commissioner  and  instructed  to  con- 
vey the  good  wishes  of  the  Governor  of  Santiago  Province 
to  the  Cuban  General.  Tuesday  morning,  January  31st,  at 
six  o’clock,  accompanied  by  Sefior  Gonzalo  de  Quesada, 
Cuban  agent  in  Washington,  and  the  representatives  of 
General  Brooke  and  General  Wood,  your  Commissioner 
started  for  Remedios,  the  headquarters  of  the  Cuban  army. 
The  manager  of  the  United  Railroads  of  Havana  and  Regia 
Warehouses,  Ltd.,  Mr.  Albert  de  Ximeno,  kindly  placed  a 
special  car  at  the  disposal  of  the  party,  which  enabled  us  to 
save  considerable  time  and  go  through  without  change. 

From  Havana  to  St.  Domingo,  nearly  two  hundred  miles, 
your  Commissioner  went  over  the  same  route  as  that  tra- 
versed last  September;  the  difference,  however,  between  the 
condition  of  the  country  now  and  the  condition  then  is  very 
marked.  In  September,  the  whole  distance  was  one  pro- 
longed scene  of  desolation.  There  were  literally  no  signs 
of  life,  human  or  animal,  except  at  the  railway  stations, 
which  swarmed  with  starving  humanity.  These  unfortunate 
victims  of  misrule  and  war  crowded  into  the  cars  in  search 
of  alms,  and  almost  tore  each  other  to  pieces  to  obtain  the 
small  change  and  coppers  thrown  to  them  by  sympathising 
travellers.  Never  was  so  much  abject  misery  seen  as  then. 
To-day  conditions  have  improved.  There  are  beggars  of 
the  chronic  sort,  they  are  few,  however,  compared  with  the 
desperate  starving  women  and  children  in  all  these  towns 
at  the  close  of  the  war.  A decided  change  for  the  better  is 
noticeable  in  the  country  itself.  The  people  are  beginning 
to  work  again.  The  quick-growing  crops  have  been  planted 
and  some  are  ready  for  harvest.  The  sugar  cane  is  being 
cut  and  taken  to  the  centrals.  Many  fields  of  tobacco  may 
be  seen,  especially  in  the  Remedios  district.  Fields  are  in 
course  of  preparation  for  next  year’s  crop.  During  ten 
hours  of  travel  on  this  railroad  in  September  but  one  yoke 


394 


Industrial  Cuba 


of  oxen  was  seen.  To-day  draft-oxen,  cows,  and  cattle  are 
visible  all  along  the  route,  and  in  some  fields  large  herds  of 
several  hundred  greeted  the  eye.  This  is  the  surest  sign 
that  Cuba  is  pacified,  and  that  only  a little  friendly  co-opera- 
tion between  the  United  States  military  authorities  and  the 
Cubans,  who  have  manfully  borne  the  heat  and  burden  of 
this  terrible  and  devastating  war,  is  needed  to  bring  about 
normal  conditions.  Sugar-houses  have  been  restored,  in 
some  cases  repainted  and  put  in  excellent  condition,  as 
though  the  owners  were  satisfied  of  a stable  government. 

After  a long  journey  of  fourteen  hours  we  arrived  at 
Remedios,  the  centre  of  one  of  the  richest  sugar  and  tobacco 
sections  of  the  Island.  We  were  met  by  some  of  General 
Gomez’s  staff,  and  also  by  Major  John  A.  Logan  and  a party 
of  American  officers  who  had  thoughtfully  made  such  ar- 
rangements as  the  place  afforded  for  our  comfort.  The 
reception  accorded  Sefior  Quesada  along  the  entire  route 
demonstrated  how  much  he  is  beloved  by  his  countrymen. 
Word  had  been  telegraphed  in  advance  from  Havana,  and 
some  of  the  railway  stations  were  densely  crowded  by  people 
anxious  to  see  the  second  most  popular  of  Cubans;  for,  next 
to  General  Gomez,  Sefior  Quesada  has  undoubtedly  the 
largest  share  of  the  affection  of  the  people.  At  Remedios 
messages  were  received  from  General  Gomez  that  he  was 
with  the  Cuban  army  a few  miles  from  town,  but  that  he 
would  be  in  Remedios  early  next  morning  to  greet  his  old 
and  trusted  friend  Quesada,  and  to  meet  the  representatives 
of  the  President,  of  General  Brooke,  and  of  General  Wood. 

The  next  morning,  Wednesday,  February  ist,  General 
Gomez  came  into  the  town  on  horseback,  escorted  by  a 
body-guard  of  about  one  hundred  mounted  men.  He  im- 
mediately repaired  to  a house  he  occupied  in  Remedios, 
and  sent  a social  invitation  for  breakfast  to  his  friend,  Sefior 
Quesada,  and  an  invitation  for  your  Commissioner  to  see 
him  at  twelve  o’clock.  A little  before  the  appointed  hour 
Sefior  Quesada  and  two  of  General  Gomez’s  officers  came 
over  to  the  hotel  and  escorted  the  party  to  General  Gomez’s 


A Visit  to  General  Gomez 


395 


house,  where  we  were  cordially  received  by  General  Gomez 
and  invited  up-stairs  to  his  private  apartments,  which  con- 
sisted of  a commodious  front  parlour  opening  into  a com- 
fortable bedroom,  upon  the  immaculate  white  bed  of  which 
lay  the  General’s  hat,  sword,  and  gauntlets. 

The  interview,  which  lasted  about  an  hour  and  a half,  was 
agreeable  and  to  the  point.  It  opened  by  General  Gomez 
assuring  your  Commissioner  that  he  was  welcome  and  that 
he  had  fully  sympathised  with  the  work  of  commercial  and 
industrial  reconstruction  of  the  Island  which  had  been  carried 
on  since  the  signing  of  the  protocol  of  peace  last  August. 
He  said  he  was  completely  identified  in  all  and  with  all 
concerning  it.  On  his  side  he  was  working  in  the  same 
sense  and  doing  all  he  could  for  the  immediate  reconstruc- 
tion of  the  country.  “ Its  wounds,”  he  said,  “ will  heal 
with  the  rapid  promotion  of  work.  This  is  the  battle  we 
are  now  fighting,  and  all  men  of  good  will  should  join  us  in 
our  struggle.  I avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  to  tender 
my  services.” 

General  Gomez  said  he  was  all  ready  to  see  your  Com- 
missioner and  discuss  industrial  matters  last  fall,  but  owing 
to  the  illness  in  the  family  of  the  Cuban  gentleman  who 
had  promised  to  take  your  Commissioner  to  meet  him,  the 
visit  was  indefinitely  postponed.  After  some  other  con- 
versation of  a general  character,  General  Gomez  was  in- 
formed that  the  President  had  instructed  your  Commissioner 
to  see  General  Gomez,  express  his  friendly  feeling,  and  to 
ascertain  if  the  General  was  willing  to  co-operate  in  a friendly 
spirit  with  the  United  States  in  the  pacification  and  up- 
building of  the  Island.  To  this  General  Gomez  answered 
that  he  received  your  Commissioner  in  precisely  the  same 
friendly  spirit  in  which  he  knew  the  President  had  sent  him 
thither.  He  said  that  his  friend,  Seftor  Quesada,  had  ex- 
plained to  him  the  true  attitude  of  President  McKinley  and 
the  people  of  the  United  States  towards  Cuba,  and  he  was 
satisfied  that  many  of  the  rumours  afloat  were  without 
foundation  and  absurd;  that  he  had  never  entertained 


396 


Industrial  Cuba 


toward  the  United  States  anything  but  feelings  of  the  most 
profound  gratitude  and  admiration;  that  far  from  any 
desire  to  estrange  himself  and  his  followers  from  the  United 
States,  his  sole  desire  was  a closer  union  of  friendship  and 
co-operation ; that  now  he  was  aware  of  the  President’s 
wishes,  he  was  pleased  and  would  gladly  do  anything  in  his 
power  to  promote  them ; that  he  was  sure  a friendly  con- 
ference or  getting  together  of  the  United  States  and  Cuban 
officers  would  aid  in  making  things  go  all  right,  and  for  his 
part  he  would  willingly  co-operate  in  such  manner  as  the 
President  might  direct  for  the  general  welfare  of  Cuba. 

Thanking  him  for  this  assurance  of  confidence  in  the 
wisdom  and  intention  of  the  President,  your  Commissioner 
directed  attention  to  the  present  condition  of  Cuba  with  a 
view  of  emphasising  the  necessity  of  patience  and  forbear- 
ance on  the  part  of  all  concerned.  It  was  suggested  that 
within  only  a few  weeks  the  deadening  hand  of  Spanish 
misrule  had  been  lifted  from  this  fair  Island.  That  already 
he  would  see  along  the  route  between  Remedios  and  Ha- 
vana a great  difference  in  the  condition  of  the  country  now, 
compared  with  its  condition  last  September.  Then  all  was 
desolation:  now  people  were  more  cheerful,  and  a glimmer- 
ing of  sunshine  was  visible,  penetrating  the  drab  skies  of 
depression,  ruin,  and  starvation  which  had  so  long  enveloped 
the  Island.  It  was  true  that  some  restless  and  impatient 
people  were  asking  where  was  the  promised  liberty,  where 
was  the  Cuban  freedom,  etc.  The  answer  to  this  was  that 
Cuba  now  possessed  absolute  commercial  and  industrial 
freedom.  In  framing  the  new  tariff,  the  President  and 
yourself  directed  that  no  discrimination  in  favour  of  the 
United  States  should  be  made;  that  you  had  repeatedly 
said  the  new  tariff  must  be  made  in  the  interest  of  Cuba 
and  not  in  the  interest  of  the  United  States.  Spain,  on  the 
contrary,  had  by  outrageous  discriminating  duties  compelled 
Cuba  to  purchase  all  sorts  of  commodities  of  her  which 
could  have  been  bought  cheaper  and  better  in  other  markets. 
All  these  changes,  looking  to  a better  condition,  were 


SPANISH  FORT  ON  RA.LROAD  TO  JURAQUA  MINES. 


A Visit  to  General  Gomez 


397 


promptly  inaugurated  on  the  day  the  United  States  began 
its  military  occupancy.  Much  of  the  criticism  was  un- 
just, not  only  to  the  Administration  but  to  the  military 
officials  of  the  United  States,  who  had  undertaken  the 
gigantic  task  of  reorganising  the  country,  of  reforming  its 
iniquitous  tax  system,  of  improving  its  sanitary  condition, 
of  building  up  its  destroyed  industries.  Our  military 
authorities  had  found  Cuba  without  capital,  with  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  people  on  the  verge  of  starvation,  to  whom 
rations  had  to  be  furnished,  and  with  the  incubus  of  Span- 
ish rule  resting  upon  all  branches  of  its  government,  muni- 
cipal, provincial,  judicial,  and  general.  It  was  a great  task, 
and  one  that  must  take  time.  There  were  still  from  twenty 
thousand  to  twenty-five  thousand  Spanish  troops  at  Cien- 
fuegos  who  had  not  gone  home. 

The  President’s  idea,  General  Gomez  was  informed,  was 
to  build  up  the  new  government  from  the  foundation  by 
first  organising  the  municipalities,  and  policing  the  Island, 
and  that  in  all  this  work,  including  the  judiciary,  only  Cubans 
would  be  employed.  Under  such  conditions,  your  Com- 
missioner frankly  told  General  Gomez  that  the  President 
needed  and  was  entitled  to  the  friendly  co-operation  of  all 
interested  in  the  future  welfare  of  Cuba,  and  to  his  (General 
Gomez’s)  co-operation  above  all  others,  because  the  first 
problem  to  be  confronted  was  the  immediate  disbandment 
of  the  Cuban  army  and  the  return  of  the  men  to  work. 

To  all  this  General  Gomez  listened  with  thoughtful  atten- 
tion, and  replied  that  he  realised  the  situation  fully  and 
appreciated  all  that  had  been  said  as  to  the  condition  of  the 
country,  and  was  willing  to  aid  in  any  way  the  President 
might  wish. 

The  special  mission,  namely,  the  disbanding  of  the  army, 
and  the  aid  to  Cuban  soldiers  willing  to  lay  down  their  arms 
and  go  to  work,  was  then  discussed.  A brief  history  of  the 
facts  was  presented  and  the  attention  of  General  Gomez 
called  to  the  report  made  to  you,  January  13,  1899,  and 
submitted  herewith.  He  was  informed  that  the  President 


398 


Industrial  Cuba 


would  like  his  aid  in  the  work  of  disbanding  the  Cuban 
army,  in  the  distribution  of  the  fund  appropriated  for  the 
relief  of  that  army,  and  in  suggesting  the  most  practical  and 
efficient  manner  of  policing  the  country.  General  Gomez 
said  he  would  gladly  aid  in  this  manner  and  would  go  to 
Havana  as  soon  as  possible  and  confer  with  General  Brooke 
to  that  end. 

He  said  that  the  amount  was  too  small;  but  that  was  not 
his  fault;  that  he  was  willing  to  co-operate  in  the  distribu- 
tion and  make  it  go  as  far  as  possible.  It  was  like  the 
miracle  of  the  loaves  and  fishes,  and  he  would  aid  in  making 
the  most  of  it.  Your  Commissioner  informed  General  Gomez 
that  no  man  in  military  history  had  done  so  much  with  such 
small  resources  as  he,  and  hence  his  co-operation  with  Gen- 
eral Brooke  in  this  matter  would  bring  good  results.  He 
(General  Gomez)  especially  impressed  upon  your  Commis- 
sioner that  the  money  itself  must  be  placed  to  the  order  of 
General  Brooke.  This  General  Gomez  repeated  three  times, 
and  he  was  evidently  desirous  of  impressing  your  Commis- 
sioner that  while  he  was  willing  to  aid  in  any  way  possible 
in  the  distribution  of  the  money,  he  did  not  wish  to  take 
personal  responsibility  for  the  money  itself. 

The  next  question  taken  up  was  the  method  of  distribu- 
tion, and  while  General  Gomez  and  your  Commissioner 
reached  no  written  agreement,  the  general  plan  verbally 
agreed  upon  was  as  follows: 

“ Memoranda  regarding  the  distribution  of  funds  appro- 
priated by  the  United  States  Congress  to  be  expended  on 
behalf  of  and  for  the  relief  of  the  Cuban  army,  as  discussed 
at  Remedios,  February  I,  1899,  by  General  Maximo  Gomez 
and  Robert  P.  Porter. 

1.  That  a Cuban  officer  shall  be  appointed  in  each  pro- 
vince to  co-operate  with  the  American  officers  in  the  distri- 
bution of  funds;  and  furthermore,  General  Maximo  Gomez, 
as  commander-in-chief  of  the  Cuban  forces,  is  hereby  named 
to  confer  with  Major-General  Brooke,  U.S.A.,  in  the  selec- 
tion of  this  committee  on  distribution. 


A Visit  to  General  Gomez 


399 


2.  That  these  officers  shall  immediately  meet  at  some 
convenient  point  and  decide  as  to  how,  when,  and  where 
this  fund  shall  be  distributed,  and  such  other  details  as  will 
assure  a prompt  distribution. 

3.  That  the  sum  paid  each  man  shall  not  be  regarded  as 
part  payment  of  salary  or  wages  due  for  services  rendered, 
but  to  facilitate  the  disbandment  of  the  army,  and  as  a relief 
for  the  suffering,  and  an  aid  in  getting  the  people  to  work 
again. 

4.  That  Cubans  shall  surrender  their  arms  to  the  Cuban 
Assembly,  or  its  appointed  representatives,  or  make  such 
other  distribution  of  the  same  as  may  be  agreed  upon  by 
the  aforesaid  committee  on  distribution. 

5.  That  the  committee  shall  use  its  best  endeavours  in 
the  payment  of  this  fund  to  distribute  the  military  popula- 
tion of  the  Island  so  that  all  may  secure  work  and  the 
wounds  of  war  be  healed  as  rapidly  as  possible. 

6.  That  the  money  thus  appropriated  ($3,000,000)  shall 
be  placed  subject  to  the  order  of  the  Governor-General, 
U.S.A.,  of  the  Island  of  Cuba.  Immediate  action  is  neces- 
sary.” 

The  appointment  of  a Cuban  and  a United  States  officer 
from  each  province  will  be  necessary,  because  no  fair  distri- 
bution of  this  fund  can  possibly  be  made  without  a know- 
ledge of  local  conditions  and  a personal  acquaintance  with 
the  troops.  In  Santiago,  for  example,  no  two  persons 
would  be  so  well  qualified  to  advise  with  General  Brooke  as 
Major-General  Leonard  Wood  and  General  Castillo,  and 
officers  of  similar  experience  in  both  armies  will  of  course 
be  called  in  from  the  other  provinces.  Another  advantage 
of  such  a committee,  and  one  which  appealed  to  General 
Gomez,  and  subsequently,  on  your  Commissioners  return- 
ing to  Havana,  to  General  Brooke,  is  that  the  question  of 
policing  the  Island  can  be  taken  up  at  the  same  time,  and 
a plan  agreeable  to  all  concerned  agreed  upon.  The  men 
called  together  to  deal  with  the  disbandment  of  the  army 
will  be  able  to  supply  considerable  information  in  relation 


400 


Industrial  Cuba 


to  local  conditions  and  to  the  needs  of  each  community. 
This  is  a problem  upon  which  General  Brooke  is  at  the 
moment  seeking  enlightenment,  and  a Cuban  general  from 
each  province  will  be  a valuable  addition  to  his  own  sources 
of  information.  The  utter  impossibility  of  considering  the 
payment  offered  by  the  United  States,  to  help  the  Cuban 
army  to  disband  and  get  to  work,  as  part  payment  of  salary 
or  wages  due  for  services  rendered  was  explained  by  your 
Commissioner,  and  in  response  General  Gomez  said  he 
understood  the  attitude  of  the  President  on  that  subject, 
and  could  make  no  objection.  Other  phases  of  the  ques- 
tion were  discussed,  such  as  the  advisability  of  making  the 
payment  absolutely  on  the  per  capita  plan,  or  only  to  those 
who  needed  help.  For  example,  many  of  the  soldiers  have 
already  been  provided  for,  notably  in  Santiago,  and  later  in 
Havana,  on  the  police  force.  These  men  are  drawing  good 
salaries  from  the  municipality  and  are  not  the  objects  of 
State  aid.  There  is  no  necessity  to  include  such  cases. 
This  will  leave  more  for  those  who  must  be  helped  back  to 
the  land.  These  questions  of  detail,  however,  it  was  finally 
agreed,  should  be  properly  left  to  the  committee.  As  a 
matter  of  fact,  the  Cuban  Commission  only  claimed  30,000 
privates.  The  total  pay  earned  by  these  privates,  according 
to  the  Commission’s  report, — based  on  the  same  rate  of  pay 
as  United  States  soldiers  receive, — was  a trifle  over  $9,000,- 
000.  It  is  not  likely,  however,  that  the  committee  to  be 
called  together  by  General  Brooke  will  find  anything  like 
this  number  of  soldiers  who  need  the  assistance  herewith 
proffered.  There  is  no  controversy  over  the  other  para- 
graphs of  the  memoranda. 

The  actual  basis  of  distribution  will  undoubtedly  be  the 
most  troublesome  question  to  be  adjusted  by  General 
Brooke  and  General  Gomez  and  the  officers  of  both  armies 
called  in  to  advise.  It  can  be  settled,  however,  with  the 
proper  local  information,  and  settled  to  much  greater  ad- 
vantage, in  the  opinion  of  your  Commissioner,  to  the  Island 
than  by  a payment  of  one  hundred  dollars  all  around.  If, 


A Visit  to  General  Gomez 


401 


however,  the  committee  cannot  see  their  way  clear  to  a 
more  equitable  distribution  they  can,  of  course,  resort  to 
the  original  proposition  of  the  late  General  Garcia  to  the 
President  of  one  hundred  dollars  all  around  to  the  privates; 
or,  if  the  silver  dollar  is  used — and  that  is  still  the  basis  of 
payment  in  Cuba  for  day  labour — the  $3,000,000  will  take 
in  all,  including  the  commissioned  officers.’  The  above  was 
the  sum  and  substance  of  the  conference.  General  Gomez 
was  exceedingly  gracious,  and  several  times  said  he  had  no 
doubt  of  the  friendly  attitude  of  the  President  toward  Cuba 
and  toward  him  personally,  which  good  feeling,  he  said, 
was  reciprocated.  He  sent  the  President  and  yourself  his 
cordial  wishes  and  thanks  for  the  courtesy  extended  and 
said  he  would  telegraph  the  President  and  General  Brooke 
direct,  and  would  accept  the  latter’s  invitation  to  see  him  in 
Havana  at  an  early  date.  He  wished  your  Commissioner  to 
assure  the  President  he  would  do  all  in  his  power  to  aid  in 
the  work  of  reconstruction  of  Cuba.  Turning  to  Captain 
Campbell,  he  said : 

“ Tell  General  Brooke  that  I am  coming  to  Havana  to  see  him, 
and  that  I will  co-operate  with  him  in  every  way  in  the  world  for 
the  general  welfare  of  Cuba — especially  in  getting  these  men 
disarmed,  in  aiding  them  in  going  to  work,  and  in  establishing 
law  and  order  in  every  part  of  the  Island.” 

In  concluding  the  interview,  General  Gomez  said  to  your 
Commissioner: 

“ Your  visit  has  thrown  light  in  our  way,  and  all  that  we  have 
said  encourages  me  to  approach  Havana,  that  by  coming  to  an 
understanding  with  General  Brooke  the  affairs  of  this  unsettled 
country  may  be  better  directed. 

“ Please  express  to  the  President  my  gratitude  for  his  atten- 

1 The  estimate  of  the  Cuban  Commission,  as  given  to  Commissioner  Porter, 
aggregated,  for  commissioned  officers,  non-commissioned  officers,  and  privates, 
45,031  men,  which,  at  100  silver  dollars  each  at  the  value  established  by  order 
of  the  President  (60  of  U.  S.),  would  aggregate  2,701,860  U.  S.  dollars,  or 
nearly  $300,000  less  than  the  amount  appropriated  by  Congress. 


402 


Industrial  Cuba 


tions,  informing  him  that  I will  do  my  utmost  to  maintain  order, 
contributing  to  the  definite  constitution  of  the  Republic,  that 
Cuba  may  be  really  free  and  independent,  thereby  helping  to 
your  desires,  which  are  mine.” 

In  response,  your  Commissioner  thanked  General  Gomez 
for  his  offer  to  thus  aid  in  the  difficult  work  the  United 
States  had  in  hand  in  Cuba,  and  ventured  to  hope  that  the 
conference  would  result  in  a more  complete  understanding 
between  the  people  of  Cuba  and  the  people  of  the  United 
States.  His  cordial  and  prompt  response  to  the  wishes  of 
the  President  he  was  told  would  be  appreciated  in  Washing- 
ton and  was  a good  omen  for  the  future  prosperity  of  Cuba. 

General  Gomez  is  a man  of  strong  personality  and  great 
force.  He  is  resourceful,  clear-headed,  and  direct  in  deal- 
ing with  men,  and  will  make  as  potent  a force  i..  the  civil 
work  of  government  as  he  has  been  in  the  military.  His 
word  is  his  bond  and  must  never  be  doubted.  The  only 
occasion  in  the  conference  when  he  showed  the  slightest 
feeling  was  on  being  asked  to  make  his  visit  to  Havana  as 
soon  as  possible. 

“ Do  you  doubt  my  activity  ? ” he  exclaimed. 

“ Your  enemies  never  did,  General,  and  I come  on  a 
friendly  errand,”  was  the  answer. 

When  General  Gomez  was  asked  if  your  Commissioner 
might  cable  the  President  his  promise  of  co-operation,  he 
promptly  answered : 

“ I will  cable  both  the  President  and  General  Brooke 
myself.” 

Copies  of  the  cable  and  letter  in  question  were  afterward 
sent  over  in  the  original  Spanish  to  the  hotel,  and  when 
translated  read  as  follows : 

(i— CABLE) 

“Republic  of  Cuba, 

“ Headquarters  of  the  Army. 

“ President  McKinley , Washington  : 

“ It  has  afforded  me  great  pleasure  to  have  conferences  with 
your  Commissioner,  Porter,  introduced  by  my  friend  Quesada, 


A Visit  to  General  Gomez 


403 


and  I am  informed  of  and  satisfied  with  your  wishes.  In  a short 
time  I will  go  to  Havana  to  have  conferences  with  General 
Brooke,  that  all  may  run  smoothly,  following  your  advices  and 
gladly  contributing  to  the  reconstruction  of  Cuba. 

“ Maximo  Gomez. 

“ Remedios,  February  1,  1899.” 

(2— CABLE) 

“ Republic  of  Cuba, 
“Headquarters  of  the  Army. 

“ General  Brooke , Havana  : 

“ The  conference  with  Mr.  Porter,  Commissioner  for  President 
McKinley,  encourages  me  to  proceed  soon  to  Havana  to  come  to 
an  understanding  with  you  and  solve  matters  for  the  good  of  this 
country.  I avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  to  inform  you  that 
you  may  rely  on  my  consideration  and  distinguished  affection. 

“General  Maximo  Gomez. 

“ Remedios,  February  1,  1899.” 

(3— LETTER  TO  GENERAL  BROOKE) 

“Republic  of  Cuba, 

“ Headquarters  of  the  Army, 

“ Remedios,  February  i,  1899. 

“ Major-General  John  R.  Brooke , Havana  : 

“ General, — Your  courteous  letter  was  presented  to  me  by 
Hon.  Robert  P.  Porter,  Commissioner  of  President  McKinley, 
and  although  I have  telegraphed  you  that  the  conference  with 
Mr.  Porter  encourages  me  to  go  to  Havana  in  a short  time  and 
confer  with  you  and  resolve  whatever  be  best  for  this  country,  I 
do  it  again  through  this  letter. 

“ I will  be  highly  pleased  to  meet  you  soon.  Meantime,  I 
remain, 

“ Respectfully  yours, 

“ General  M.  Gomez.” 

In  the  afternoon  word  was  sent  over  by  General  Gomez 
that  arrangements  had  been  made  for  a speech  at  the  theatre 
by  Sefior  Quesada,  a reception  to  your  Commissioner  and 
the  officers  accompanying  him,  and  a ball  to  which  the  re- 
presentatives of  the  best  families  of  Remedios  had  been  in- 


404 


Industrial  Cuba 


vited.  In  the  evening  the  little  theatre  was  crowded.  The 
boxes  and  orchestra  were  occupied  by  ladies  in  evening 
dress,  and  the  other  parts  of  the  house  were  packed  by 
earnest,  intelligent  people,  intensely  interested  in  the  orator 
of  the  evening.  In  the  middle  of  the  stage  a sort  of  pulpit 
had  been  placed,  completely  covered  with  the  most  beautiful 
tropical  flowers.  When  Seftor  Quesada  ascended  the  pulpit 
a shower  of  flowers  fell  from  all  parts  of  the  house  and 
covered  the  entire  stage.  General  Gomez  escorted  your 
Commissioner  to  a box,  and  the  General  remained  through- 
out an  interested  but  silent  spectator.  The  oration  of  Sefior 
Quesada  was  an  eloquent  one  and  was  devoted  to  an  ex- 
planation of  the  real  feeling  of  the  United  States  towards 
Cuba.  He  thoroughly  disillusionised  the  audience  of  any 
idea  that  the  United  States  desired  to  annex  Cuba  against 
the  will  of  the  people,  and  assured  them  of  the  friendship 
of  President  McKinley  and  his  advisers.  These  sentiments 
were  loudly  applauded,  and  it  was  evident  the  audience 
was  at  heart  with  the  speaker.  After  the  speaking  came  a 
reception,  and  then  all  adjourned  to  the  ballroom,  where 
General  Gomez  led  off  in  the  dance,  and  the  festivities  were 
kept  up  until  the  early  morning  hours.  These  facts  are 
given  for  the  purpose  of  showing  the  cordiality  of  the  recep- 
tion given  the  representative  of  the  United  States  and  as 
indicating  that  General  Gomez  more  than  met  the  informal 
overture  of  our  Government  in  the  spirit  in  which  the  recog- 
nition on  our  part  was  offered.  On  parting  with  your 
Commissioner  General  Gomez  offered  the  services  of  Lieu- 
tenant Cornill,  a brilliant  young  officer  of  his  staff,  as  escort 
to  Havana. 

Returning  to  Havana,  all  these  facts  were  laid  before 
General  Brooke,  and  he  expressed  himself  pleased  with  the 
results  of  the  conference.  The  memoranda  discussed  and 
all  despatches  were  placed  in  General  Brooke’s  hands,  and 
he  desired  your  Commissioner  to  say  he  will  be  ready  to 
take  up  the  matter  of  distribution  of  the  army  relief  fund 
next  week  with  General  Gomez  in  the  manner  herewith 


A Visit  to  General  Gomez 


405 


submitted.  General  Chaffee  now  has  in  hand  the  complete 
scheme  for  policing  the  Island,  and  the  delay  in  carrying  it 
out  is  partly  due  to  the  lack  of  funds  and  partly  to  the  in- 
numerable details  necessary  to  meet  the  varied  conditions 
of  each  province.  It  is  more  than  probable  that  the  con- 
vening of  such  an  army  relief  committee  as  suggested  in  this 
report  will  have  the  effect  of  crystallising  these  plans  and 
securing  a general  plan  for  the  rural  policing  of  the  Island 
by  native  Cuban  troops. 

The  excellent  condition  of  the  Island  throughout  the  most 
trying  ordeal  it  has  undergone — the  passing  of  the  Spanish 
control — has  encouraged  our  military  officials  in  the  belief 
that  the  solution  of  the  problem  is  local  policing  by  Cuban 
troops.  The  present  situation  may  be  thus  briefly  summar- 
ised. Senator  Proctor  of  Vermont,  just  up  from  the  most 
western  province,  Pinar  del  Rio,  says  he  has  been  with 
General  Davis,  who  reports  the  most  perfect  order  as  being 
maintained  by  native  troops,  and  that  this  has  been  done 
without  money  and  without  price.  In  fact,  all  the  police 
work  is  now  done  by  Cubans. 

In  Havana  Province  General  Lee  has  the  entire  confidence 
of  the  people,  while  a Cuban  police  force  under  General 
Menocal  is  being  formed  for  Havana.  This  force  is  now 
drilling  every  day  in  the  public  square  of  Havana,  and  they 
appear  to  be  a fine  body  of  men.  In  Matanzas  Province  it 
was  your  Commissioner’s  good  fortune  to  meet  General 
Pedro  Betancourt,  who  says  all  is  tranquil  throughout  that 
province,  a fact  certified  to  by  General  Wilson  in  a despatch 
published  Saturday.  In  Santa  Clara  Province  General  Mon- 
teagudo,  in  command  of  the  Cuban  forces,  boarded  the 
train,  and  in  a conversation  lasting  nearly  two  hours  ex- 
plained the  conditions  in  that  province.  He  had  nearly 
three  thousand  men  who  since  January  1st  have  kept  order 
and  policed  the  entire  province.  He  has  a complete 
scheme  for  continuing  this  work  with  about  half  the  num- 
ber of  men.  This  plan  has  been  laid  before  General  Bates, 
and  by  him  referred  to  General  Brooke  at  Havana.  General 


406 


Industrial  Cuba 


Chaffee  has  the  plan  now  before  him  with  all  the  other  plans, 
and  it  will  be  immediately  considered  and  acted  upon.  In 
Puerto  Principe  the  Cuban  army  has  disbanded,  law  and  order 
prevail,  and  the  people  are  rapidly  getting  to  work  again. 
In  Santiago  General  Leonard  Wood  and  the  Cuban  General 
Castillo  are  masters  of  the  situation.  So  great  is  General 
Gomez’s  confidence  in  General  Wood  that  he  expressed  a 
hope  to  your  Commissioner  that  General  Wood  would  be  in 
Havana  at  the  conference  of  United  States  and  Cuban 
officers,  because  he  (General  Gomez)  wanted  to  consult  him 
in  relation  to  matters  in  that  province.  The  situation  may 
change,  but  the  above  represents  the  conditions  at  the  pre- 
sent moment.  Some  of  the  leaders  will  object,  for  various 
reasons,  some  perhaps  selfish  ones,  to  the  present  attitude 
of  General  Gomez,  but  it  is  not  likely  that  their  views  will 
prevail  if  once  the  United  States  and  Cuban  military  leaders 
in  each  province  can  get  together  and  meet  around  a table 
with  General  Brooke  and  General  Gomez.  If  this  can  be 
brought  about  at  an  early  date  all  outside  opposition  will 
surely  disappear  and  the  Cuban  problem  will  be  in  a fair 
way  of  solution. 

The  following  message  was  sent  to  your  Commissioner  at 
Remedios,  and  was  translated  into  Spanish  and  submitted 
to  General  Gomez: 

“ Hon.  Robert  P.  Porter , Havana  : 

“ The  President  sends  his  hearty  congratulations  and  thanks 
for  your  despatch.  Convey  his  cordial  greetings  to  General 
Gomez  and  his  grateful  appreciation  of  the  General’s  frank  and 
friendly  message.  The  co-operation  of  General  Gomez  in  the 
pacification  of  Cuba  will  be  of  the  greatest  value  for  both 
peoples. 

“John  Hay, 

“ Secretary  of  State.” 

It  is  respectfully  suggested,  in  view  of  the  facts  above 
given,  that  the  sum  of  money  ($3,000,000)  assigned  by  the 
President  for  the  relief  of  the  Cuban  troops  and  to  aid  in 


A Visit  to  General  Gomez 


407 


the  disbandment  of  the  army  be  at  once  placed  at  the  dis- 
posal of  General  Brooke,  Governor-General  in  command  of 
the  United  States  forces  in  Cuba. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted, 

Robert  P.  Porter, 

Special  Commissioner  for  the  United 
States  to  Cuba  and  Porto  Rico. 


This  chapter  may  be  fittingly  concluded  with  a few  words 
as  to  the  personality  of  General  Gomez,  who  in  appearance 
is  as  absolutely  unlike  the  photographs  of  him  as  his  manner 
and  action  toward  strangers  are  unlike  the  accounts  we  have 
so  often  heard  of  him.  The  photographs  published — and 
there  is  nothing  General  Gomez  dislikes  so  much  as  having 
his  photograph  taken — are  invariably  harsh  and  belligerent 
looking;  whereas  the  man  himself,  while  in  manner  and  ex- 
pression a soldier,  has  a sympathetic  side  to  him  which 
makes  him  altogether  a different  being  to  the  one  so  often 
pictured.  This  side  came  out  at  the  ball,  to  which  refer- 
ence was  made  in  the  foregoing  pages,  when  he  was  talking 
to  twenty  or  thirty  children  prettily  dressed,  who  carried 
bouquets  of  flowers  and  walked  around  the  room.  He  had 
something  to  say  to  all  these  little  misses,  and  was  most 
affable  to  them.  General  Gomez  is  very  fond  of  dancing; 
in  fact,  it  is  his  chief  recreation.  He  dances  well  and  with 
great  agility,  enjoying  it  fully.  The  people  of  Remedios, 
men  and  women,  are  very  fond  of  him,  and  his  social  side, 
which  can  be  studied  to  advantage  there,  gives  quite  a new 
light  to  his  character. 


CHAPTER  XXIX 


CONCLUSION— A LOOK  AHEAD 

IN  the  opening  chapters  of  this  volume  we  have  seen  Cuba 
as  it  is  and  speculated  on  what  it  should  have  presented 
to  the  world  at  the  close  of  the  present  century.  The  past, 
it  is  to  be  hoped,  is  a closed  book.  The  future  is  more  hope- 
ful, perhaps,  but  replete  with  difficult  problems  and  many 
dangers.  The  war  has  emancipated  the  people  of  Cuba 
from  Spain,  made  them  a self-governing  people  protected 
by  a great  nation,  the  flag  of  which  is  a symbol  of  freedom 
and  a guaranty  of  the  fruits  of  individual  endeavour.  The 
fate  of  Cuba  and  the  Cubans  no  longer  rests  in  the  hands  of 
a small  cabal  of  mediaeval  and  selfish  statesmen  at  Madrid, 
intent  only  upon  enriching  the  mother  country.  It  rests 
with  the  people  of  the  United  States  who  are  to-day  actively 
and  impartially  discussing  the  future  of  the  Island.  The 
question  is  not  how  much  the  United  States  can  make  out 
of  Cuba,  but  how  best  to  make  a prosperous,  peaceful,  and 
useful  neighbour  of  an  island  within  a hundred  miles  from 
the  shores  of  the  Great  Republic.  The  people  of  Cuba 
must  disabuse  themselves  of  the  idea  that  the  future  of  their 
native  land  is  in  the  hands  of  some  one  man  or  any  set  of 
men.  They  must  comprehend,  on  the  contrary,  that  it  has 
been  committed  to  the  care  of  a liberty-loving  people  as 
jealous  of  popular  rights  as  those  Cuban  patriots  who,  like 
Marti  and  Gomez  and  Maceo  and  Garcia  and  Quesada, 
risked  their  lives  to  make  their  country  free.  That  the 
people  of  the  United  States  will  deal  justly  and  fairly  with 
the  people  of  Cuba  does  not  admit  of  doubt,  and  the  closer 

408 


Conclusion — A Look  Ahead 


409 


the  people  of  the  two  countries  come  together  on  a platform 
of  mutual  trust  and  confidence,  the  sooner  a stable  govern- 
ment will  be  established.  It  may  be  well  for  our  Cuban 
friends  to  remember  that  a considerable  number  of  the 
seventy-five  millions  in  the  American  Republic  have,  them- 
selves, exchanged  for  the  Stars  and  Stripes  flags  that  mean 
as  much  to  them  as  the  Cuban  flag  to  the  most  patriotic 
Cuban,  and  around  which  cluster  as  tender  memories  as 
those  which  the  flag  of  the  Cuban  Republic  suggests. 

The  great  newspaper  press  of  the  United  States  is  dis- 
cussing all  sides  of  the  Cuban  question  as  intelligently  and 
vigorously,  and  as  fairly  and  honestly  towards  Cuban  in- 
terests, as  it  does  our  own  important  domestic  questions, 
and  no  Cuban  need  for  a moment  fear  that  the  conclusions 
reached  will  be  other  than  for  the  best  interests  of  all  con- 
cerned. If,  at  the  conclusion  of  military  occupation,  Cuba 
is  made  an  independent  republic,  it  will  be  because  the 
people  of  Cuba  and  the  people  of  the  United  States,  acting 
jointly,  so  decide.  If,  on  the  contrary,  the  future  of  Cuba 
shall  lie  in  the  still  greater  independence  of  American  State- 
hood, it  will  be  by  the  mutual  consent  of  the  people  of  the 
two  countries.  There  are  no  other  possibilities  in  the  final 
solution  of  the  political  future  of  Cuba. 

The  more  stable  the  government  of  Cuba,  the  more  certain 
the  industrial  development.  The  closer  and  stronger  the  ties 
which  bind  Cuba  to  the  United  States,  the  greater  the  pros- 
perity and  the  more  rapid  the  reconstruction  of  the  Island. 
To  the  outside  world  Cuba  has  become  part  of  the  United 
States,  and  the  arrangements  in  respect  of  the  govern- 
ment of  the  Cuban  people  a domestic  affair.  Whether 
the  present  government  be  termed  Military  Protectorate, 
Military  Occupancy,  or  Statehood,  the  fact  remains  that 
the  strength  of  Cuba  to-day  is  in  its  close  alliance  with  the 
United  States.  Commercially  and  industrially,  as  has  been 
repeatedly  shown  in  this  volume,  the  two  countries  fit  per- 
fectly. The  products  Cuba  produces  can  all  find  a market 
in  the  United  States,  while  the  needs  of  Cuba  can  all  be  sup- 


4io 


Industrial  Cuba 


plied  by  its  continental  neighbour.  The  Cubans  have  had  a 
taste  of  the  prosperity  which  followed  reciprocal  commercial 
relations  with  the  United  States.  The  golden  possibilities 
of  absolute  free  intercourse  between  Cuba  and  the  United 
States  must  be  apparent  to  the  more  intelligent  Cubans. 
That  sentiment  for  a flag  and  a country  is  natural  and  laud- 
able cannot  be  denied,  but  in  the  final  and  mutual  coming 
together  of  Cuba  and  the  United  States,  the  single  Star  be- 
comes not  less  bright  by  reason  of  association  or  companion- 
ship with  the  other  Stars,  together  making  an  harmonious 
whole  and  representing  all  that  is  best  and  most  hopeful  for 
mankind. 

A great  change  has  already  taken  place  in  Cuba  in  the  six 
weeks  of  United  States  occupancy.  The  author  has  had 
opportunity  to  study  three  stages  in  the  recent  history  of 
Cuba.  He  visited  the  four  western  provinces  soon  after 
the  signing  of  the  Protocol  of  Peace  and  before  the  Spanish 
had  relinquished  control.  He  was  in  Santiago  after  six 
months  of  American  occupancy,  and  in  the  chapter  on  that 
province  has  made  note  of  the  good  work  inaugurated  by 
Major-General  Leonard  Wood,  Governor  of  the  province. 
Again  after  six  weeks  of  American  control  he  travelled  over 
much  the  same  ground  as  in  September  and  October,  and 
has  noted  in  the  preceding  chapter  the  improved  condition. 
A good  deal  of  honest  and  intelligent  work  has  already  been 
done  by  the  United  States  for  Cuba. 

A new  tariff  has  been  framed  and  put  in  operation  by  the 
War  Department,  aided  by  experienced  officers  from  the 
Treasury  Department.  The  Post-Office  Department  has 
inaugurated  an  improved  mail  service.  The  telegraph  lines 
are  rapidly  being  put  in  order.  The  United  States  sanitary 
authorities  are  laying  their  plans  for  a vigorous  campaign 
against  epidemic  disease  this  summer.  The  governors  of 
cities  are  as  rapidly  as  possible  cleaning  up  the  streets  and 
preparing  plans  for  modern  sewerage  and  drainage.  Under 
the  direction  of  General  Brooke  and  the  immediate  super- 
vision of  General  Chaffee,  a complete  system  for  policing 


Conclusion — A Look  Ahead 


4i  1 

the  rural  districts  of  the  Island  with  Cuban  police  is  in  pro- 
gress of  organisation.  For  this  purpose  the  Cuban  army 
will  be  utilised  as  far  as  possible.  The  United  States  has 
abolished  many  onerous  taxes,  stopped  the  draining  away 
to  Spain  of  the  resources  and  revenues  of  Cuba,  and  rigor- 
ously applied  all  available  methods  and  instruments  to  build 
up  the  Island  and  to  improve  the  condition  of  the  people. 
It  has  endeavoured  to  establish  the  principle  that  the  Island 
should  be  governed  in  the  interest  of  Cuba,  by  Cubans,  for 
the  people  of  Cuba. 

There  still  remains  a great  deal  of  work  to  do.  The  thin 
end  of  the  wedge  of  the  stronger  civilisation  has  been  in- 
serted, but  time  and  patience  and  strength  will  all  be  re- 
quired to  drive  it  home.  The  programme  mapped  out  is  a 
long  and  expensive  one  and  more  money  than  is  at  present 
in  sight  will  be  required  to  carry  it  through.  The  building 
of  public  roads,  the  establishment  of  public  schools,  and  the 
inauguration  of  sanitary  work  are  three  branches  of  the  civil 
government  that  must  be  pressed  forward  with  all  possible 
vigour,  immediately  after  the  scheme  for  policing  Cuba  has 
been  completed.  The  importance  of  teaching  English  in 
all  Cuban  public  schools  must  not  be  overlooked,  because 
the  Cuban  people  will  never  understand  the  people  of  the 
United  States  until  they  appreciate  our  institutions.  A 
complete  reform  of  the  judiciary  must  follow.  The  laws 
relating  to  ownership  and  transfer  of  property  must  be  re- 
vised, safeguards  added  to  the  laws  relating  to  mortgages, 
and  some  of  the  old  customs  repealed.  Savings  banks  must 
also  be  established,  for  no  people  can  become  permanently 
prosperous  where  thrift  is  unknown  and  where  there  are  no 
opportunities  for  saving  the  surplus  earnings  of  the  popula- 
tion. The  Government  of  the  United  States,  acting  in 
conjunction  with  the  Cuban  people,  has  a serious  and  im- 
portant work  to  perform. 

The  Government,  however,  cannot  be  depended  upon  to 
do  it  all.  The  people  must  get  to  work  again  themselves 
and  help  in  every  possible  way  in  the  work  of  reconstruc- 


412 


Industrial  Cuba 


tion.  To  be  successful  this  work  should  be  begun  in  the 
right  way  from  the  foundation  up,  or  it  will  become  top- 
heavy,  and  the  second  condition  of  the  Cuban  people  will  be 
worse  and  more  helpless  than  the  first.  The  population 
must  be  got  to  work  again  in  its  strong  industries  and  the 
fields  must  be  made  to  yield  in  abundance  before  enterprises, 
of  which  so  much  is  heard,  and  the  success  of  which  depends 
so  largely  upon  the  prosperity  of  the  people,  can  be  made 
to  pay.  In  the  chapters  on  Sugar,  Tobacco,  Mining,  Agri- 
culture, Timber,  Fruit-Production,  and  Miscellaneous  In- 
dustries the  reader  may  learn  the  true  source  of  Cuban 
wealth.  The  industrial  and  commercial  future  of  Cuba 
depends  upon  how  thoroughly  and  how  persistently  these 
industries  are  worked,  and  not  upon  distribution  of  foreign 
capital  in  enterprises  which  in  the  end  must  be  fed  by  the 
wealth  coming  from  the  soil.  For  judicious  investment 
there  is  opportunity  in  Cuba,  but  the  scramble  for  fran- 
chises of  various  kinds  has  inflated  values,  and  unless  con- 
servatism prevails  there  is  danger  of  repeating  in  Cuba  some 
of  the  follies  with  which  the  New  South  is  strewn.  The 
basic  industries  must  be  vigorously  worked  in  Cuba.  Un- 
less this  is  done  the  author  sees  only  trouble  and  disaster 
ahead. 

To  do  this  successfully  the  labour  market  must  be  en- 
larged by  immigration,  and  to  attract  immigration  the  con- 
dition of  the  labourer  must  be  improved.  The  chapter  on 
Labour  aims  to  give  an  idea  of  Cuban  labour  as  it  is.  The 
picture  is  not  attractive.  Where  is  the  labour  to  come  from 
to  build  up  the  wasted  fields  of  Cuba  ? It  is  a hard  ques- 
tion to  answer.  Efforts  are  being  made  by  those  who  best 
know  the  needs  of  Cuba  to  entice  labour  thither.  They 
should  be  encouraged,  for  unless  more  labourers  can  be 
found  the  return  of  prosperity  will  be  painful  and  prolonged 
over  many  years. 

The  opportunities  for  American  labour  in  Cuba  are  cir- 
cumscribed. If  the  climate  were  more  temperate  and  the 
dangers  of  disease  less  there  would  undoubtedly  be  an  in- 


Conclusion — A Look  Ahead 


413 


flux  of  labour  from  the  United  States.  Just  as  the  restless 
and  hopeful  population  of  the  Eastern  States  has  migrated 
westward  and  to  some  extent  southward  in  our  own  country, 
so  it  would  find  its  way  to  Cuba  if  conditions  allowed  of  ex- 
tensive settlement  and  home-making.  In  the  opinion  of  the 
author  they  do  not,  and  hence  the  industrial  rehabilitation 
of  Cuba  must  rely  upon  other  sources  than  the  United 
States  for  its  supply  of  labour.  Of  course  Americans  will 
settle  in  Cuba  and  do  business  in  Cuba  and  possibly  make 
their  fortunes  in  Cuba.  Not  in  the  way  they  have  settled 
up  our  own  unsettled  area  by  purchasing  farms  and  building 
homes,  but  in  projecting  and  pushing  enterprises.  In  Cuba, 
sugar  production  has  become  two  distinct  industries:  one 
the  sugar  factory  and  the  other  the  colonia,  or  cane-raising 
farm,  or  estate.  The  central,  or  sugar  factory,  often  owns 
large  areas  of  land,  but  does  not  depend  wholly  upon  its 
own  acres  for  cane.  Some  factories  depend  more  largely 
upon  the  colonias,  or  small  farms  which  supply  the  cane. 
This  cane  the  central  brings  to  the  sugar-house  by  the  aid 
of  narrow-gauge  railways,  extending  over  the  estate  and 
into  adjoining  farms.  There  are  opportunities  for  farm 
labourers  who  can  withstand  a tropical  climate,  to  settle  on 
small  areas  of  land  and  raise  sugar  cane.  Every  possible 
encouragement  will  be  given  this  class  of  immigrants.  Mr. 
J.  White  Todd,  who  lived  twenty  years  in  Cuba,  has  in- 
formed the  author  that  in  his  opinion  industrious  immigrants 
from  Southern  Italy  and  Southern  Spain  will  find  ample 
opportunities  in  Cuba  to  establish  homes  and  make  a profit- 
able living  raising  cane  for  the  sugar  factories.  If  they  are 
willing  to  work,  the  owners  of  the  centrals  or  factories  will 
gladly  secure  them  the  land  and  tide  them  over  the  first  crop. 
This  class  of  labour  and  the  Canary  Islanders  are  the  only 
ones  likely  to  take  up  and  work  small  sugar  farms  in  Cuba. 
Heretofore  the  experience  with  the  negroes  has  not  been 
satisfactory,  though  under  a better  system  of  government  it 
may  be  different.  The  success  of  the  sugar  factory  depends 
so  largely  upon  the  available  sugar  cane  of  the  district  that 


4H 


Industrial  Cuba 


the  central  is  always  glad  to  aid  a labourer  likely  to  become 
a thrifty  colono. 

In  coffee  and  tobacco  there  are  possibilities  on  a small 
scale,  and  also  in  fruit-growing,  when  roads  and  highways 
have  been  sufficiently  improved  to  get  the  product  to 
market.  Herein  lies  the  only  feasible  opportunity  for  small 
American  capitalists  who  desire  to  live  in  a tropical  climate. 
It  is  true,  only  a small  portion  of  this  wonderful  Island  is 
under  cultivation.  In  time  it  might  all  be  utilised,  the 
larger  part,  of  course,  in  sugar.  In  the  chapter  on  Sugar 
the  possibilities  of  this  crop  and  its  relation  to  the  sugar- 
production  of  the  world  have  been  fully  discussed.  When 
continental  Europe  tires  of  paying  a bounty  for  producing 
sugar,  Cuba  must  take  its  place  as  the  first  sugar-producing 
country  of  the  world ; a place  it  would  never  have  lost  had 
it  not  been  for  misgovernment,  war,  and  failure  promptly 
to  adopt  modern  methods  when  beet-sugar  first  became  a 
factor  in  the  world’s  supply. 

The  particular  lines  in  which  the  enterprise,  ingenuity, 
and  capital  of  the  United  States  can  be  utilised  in  Cuba  will 
undoubtedly  be  in  the  establishment  of  public  and  semi- 
public works  and  in  the  improvement  of  methods  of  produc- 
tion. Here  are  some  of  the  enterprises  likely  to  be  taken 
up  by  American  and  English  capitalists: 

Sanitary  Improvements  and  Water-works. 

Street  Railways  and  light  railway  transportation  in 
suburban  districts. 

Gas-works  and  Electric  Lighting. 

Unifying  and  extension  of  railway  system. 

Establishment  of  better  facilities  for  coastwise  trans- 
portation. 

Navigation  between  Cuba  and  the  United  States. 

Wharfage,  Lighterage,  and  Public  Warehouses. 

Telegraphic  and  Telephone  Services. 

Public  Roads  and  Highways. 

Savings  Banks  and  Financial  Institutions  to  aid  com- 
merce and  industry. 


Conclusion — A Look  Ahead 


4i5 


Places  of  Amusement,  Tropical  Gardens,  and  Hotels. 

The  directing  hand  of  American  enterprise  will  be  soon 
felt  in  these  branches  of  modern  endeavour,  and  the  effect 
must  be  an  improved  condition  of  life  and  of  morals.  To 
make  these  enterprises  profitable,  however,  the  real  pro- 
ductive forces  of  the  Island  must  first  be  revived,  and  if 
possible  increased.  The  strength  of  the  building  of  our 
own  nation  lies  in  the  fact  that  our  productive  powers  were 
developed  first  and  the  modern  improvements  and  conven- 
iences have  been  gradually  coming  along  in  the  proper  order. 
Nothing  could  be  more  unfortunate  for  Cuba  than  a wild 
and  speculative  plunge  in  the  above  direction  before  the 
real  strength  of  the  Island  is  again  concentrated  and  put  in 
vigorous  working  order.  In  the  first  place,  it  would  tempo- 
rarily take  away  the  working  forces  from  the  land.  In  the 
second  place,  these  enterprises  cannot  be  made  self-sustaining 
until  normal  productive  conditions  are  restored.  The  effect, 
therefore,  would  be  loss  of  capital  and  disappointment.  The 
objective  and  immediate  point  for  good  work  should  be  the 
land.  If  the  new  industrial  impetus  shall  be  in  this  direc- 
tion the  Cuban  problem  will  be  simplified  and  the  future  of 
Cuba  full  of  promise. 


INDEX 


Acana  wood,  341 
Adams,  Charles  Francis,  43 
Agricultural  products,  imports  of, 
from  United  States,  330 
Agriculture  and  stock,  329-337 
Aguacate,  population,  124 
Aguacates,  345 

Aguado  y Rico,  Fernando,  School  of 
Arts  and  Trades,  150,  15 1 ; Indus- 
trial School,  381-388 
Alameda  of  Havana,  153 
Albarran,  Dr.,  97 
Albear,  Colonel,  168 
Albertini,  97 

Alcala,  Jose  Anton,  statement  in  re- 
gard to  taxes  other  than  customs 
duties,  249 

Alexandria  Line  of  steamers,  366 
Alfonsino,  Spanish,  value  of,  23 
Alfonso  XII.,  population,  123 
Alger,  Hon.  R.  A.,  letter  to  Maj.- 
Gen.  John  R.  Brooke,  390,  391 
Alianza  Bank,  198 
Almendares  River,  178 
Alonso  Rojos,  population,  124 
Alquizar,  population,  123 
Alto  Songo,  population,  124 
Amaro,  population,  1 24 
Amended  Cuban  tariff,  official,  221- 
247 

Americans  in  Santiago,  62-72 
American  Mail  S.S.  Co.,  47 
Amusements,  1 00 
Annexation,  32-36 
Anon  fruit,  347 

Annual  deaths  in  Havana,  table,  165 
Antomarchi,  physician  of  Napoleon, 
129 

Apezteguia,  Marquis  de,  on  future  of 
Cuba,  37-42  ; 43,  47,  60,  115 
Ariza  and  Herrara,  167,  168,  171 
Arroba,  83 

Arroyo  Navanijo,  population,  123 


Artemisa,  population,  123  ; descrip- 
tion, 132 

Asphaltum,  327,  328 
Atkins,  E.  F.,  statement  in  regard  to 
sugar,  287 

Atkins  & Co.,  Messrs.  E.,  284 
Atkinson,  Edward,  43 
Autonomist  party,  8 
Auxiliary  vessels  N.  Y.  and  Cuba 
Mail  S.  S.  Co.,  368 
Average  production  of  tobacco  of 
world  (table),  316 

Bagasse,  286,  287,  297 
Bahia  Honda,  population,  123 ; de- 
scription, 132 
Bainoa,  population,  124 
Baker,  Capt.  L.  D.,  47,  53 
Bananas,  production  of  Santiago  pro- 
vince, 67,  344  ; shipments  of,  345 
“ Banco  Hispano-Colonial,”  of  Barce- 
lona, 257 

Banes,  description,  136  ; exports  of 
fruit,  136  ; shipments  of  bananas, 
345  ; exports  of  pineapples,  348 
Bank  of  Commerce,  198 
Banking,  history  of,  199,  200 
Banks  and  Currency,  190-203 
Banks  of  Havana,  list  of,  198 
Banyan  tree,  342 

Baracoa,  population,  123  ; capital  re- 
moved from,  129  ; description,  136  ; 
shipments  of  bananas,  345  ; pro- 
duction of  cocoanuts,  345 
Barbadoes,  cost  of  Muscovado  sugars 
at,  286 

Barbour,  Maj.  George  M.,  62,  119 
Baria  wood,  341 
Barracones , 80 
Barrios,  173 

Batabano,  sanitary  condition,  120; 
population,  123  ; description,  133, 
140 


417 


418 


Index 


Bates,  General,  405 
Batey , 82 

Bayamitas  iron  mines,  322 
Bayamo,  population,  123 ; descrip- 
tion, 137 

Beal,  P.  M.,  statement  in  regard  to 
sugar  farms,  284,  285 
Beal  & Co.,  284 
Beans,  331 

Beaulieu,  Paul  Leroy,  on  Cuban  debt, 
258,  261 
Bees,  337 

Beet-sugar  competition,  76  ; produc- 
tion of,  283  ; comparative  value, 
288  ; imports  from  Europe  into 
United  States,  289 

Bejucal,  population,  123  ; description, 
134 

Belen  Church  of  Havana,  152 
Bemba  (see  Jovellanos) 

Berracoe  iron  mines,  322 
Betancourt,  Gen.  Pedro,  405 
Bock,  Gustavo,  on  production,  manu- 
facture, and  necessities  of  tobacco 
in  Cuba,  307-316 
Bolondron,  population,  123 
Boniato  manganese  mines,  324 
Bonnet,  Wm.,  statement  in  regard  to 
sugar,  291-294 
Boston  Fruit  Company,  53 
manganese  mines,  324 
Botanical  Gardens  of  Havana,  146 
Brazil  Line  of  steamers,  367 
British  Colonial  Government,  article 
on,  by  Hon.  Joseph  Chamberlain, 
48,  50,  51 

British  Consul-General  at  Havana  on 
reciprocity,  273,  274 
Brooke,  Maj.-Gen.  John  R.,  69;  let- 
ter from  Secretary  Alger  to,  390,  391, 
399  1 letter  and  cable  from  Gen- 
eral Gomez,  403 

Brooks,  Mr.  (of  Brooks  & Co.),  193 
Bueycito  manganese  mines,  324 
Building  stone,  328 
Butler,  Maj.-Gen.  M.  C.,  44;  on 
future  of  Cuba,  45,  46 

Caballeria,  83,  310 
Cabanas,  fort  of  Havana,  141 
Cabanas,  population,  124 ; descrip- 
tion, 133 

Cabonico,  shipments  of  bananas,  345 
Cabrera,  329 

Caibarien,  population,  123  ; descrip- 
tion, 131 

Caibarien  Railway,  355 


Caiguaran  wood,  341 
Caimitillo  wood,  342 
Caja  de  Ahorros,  198 
Cajobaba  iron  mines,  322 
Calabazar,  population,  124 
Calaboya,  population,  124  ; descrip- 
tion, 135  ; River,  135 
Calzada , 352 

Camaguey  (Puerto  Principe),  126 
Camarones,  population,  124 
Camino  Central  (Central  Road),  351 
Campbell,  Capt.  J.  A.,  392,  401 
Campo  de  Marteof  Havana,  146 
Canada,  sugar  exported  from  Cuba 
to,  1893-1897,  294 
Canary  Islanders,  value  as  labourers 
78-80 

Canasi,  population,  124 
Candelaria,  population,  124 
Cane,  yield  of,  per  caballeria , 83  ; 
theoretical  sugar  contents  of  one 
hundred  pounds  of,  286  ; theoreti- 
cal pure  sugar  contents  of  one  hun- 
dred pounds,  287 
Caney,  population,  124 
Cannau  River,  114 

Canovas,  Prime  Minister,  invented 
name  “realidad  national,”  12 
Capdevilla,  149 

Capital,  American  and  English,  en- 
terprises for,  414,  415 
Capital,  inducement  to,  and  revival  of 
credit,  necessary  to  reconstruction 
of  tobacco  industry,  309 
Cardenas,  sanitary  condition  117; 
population,  123  ; description,  130  ; 
exports  and  imports,  130  ; minerals, 
130 ; deposits  of  asphaltum,  327 
328 

Cardenas  and  Jucaro  Railway,  354 
Carnegie,  Andrew,  43 
Carpintero  iron  mines,  322 
Cartagena,  population,  124 
Casa  Blanco,  suburb  of  Havana,  152 
Casilda,  seaport  of  Trinidad,  127 
Casilda  and  Fernandez  Railway,  355 
Castillo,  General,  399,  406 
Catalina,  population,  124 
Cat  ana,  339 

Cattle,  332,  334  ; cost  of  importing, 
333  ; export  possibilities,  334 
Causes  of  unfortunate  situation  of 
sugar  industry,  299 
Cauto  River,  131,  360 
Caves,  of  Bellamar,  126  ; of  Arcos  de 
Carguanabo,  133 
Cayajabos,  population,  124 


Index 


419 


Cayo  Romano,  138 
Cedar,  341  , shipments,  341 
“ Cedula  ” or  head  tax,  27 
Ceiba  del  Agua,  population,  124 
Ceiba  wood,  342 
Celador , 173 

Century  Magazine , series  of  articles 
on  slave  trade  in,  74 
Cereals,  330 

Cerro  of  Havana,  152  ; salubrity, 
167 

Cervantes,  population,  123 
Chadwick,  Edwin,  159 
Chaffee,  General,  405,  406-410 
Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Santiago, 
memorial  to  President,  192 
Chamberlain,  E.  T.,  on  navigation, 
31 

Chamberlain,  Hon.  Joseph,  article  on 
British  Colonial  Government,  48, 
50,  51 

Characteristics  of  people,  97-100 
Chavez  Creek,  162 

Chinamen,  comparative  value  of,  as  la- 
bourers, 83 

Chinese  coolie  labour,  77 
Chinese  immigration  prohibited,  84 
Chorreta  Vedado  of  Havana,  152  ; 
salubrity,  167 

Church  of  the  Merced,  of  Havana, 

,152 

Cidra,  population,  124 
Ciego  de  Avila,  population,  124 
Cienfuegos,  sanitary  condition,  113; 
population,  123;  description,  127; 
harbour,  358 

Cienfuegos  and  Santa  Clara  Rail- 
way, 354 

Cigarettes,  value  of  manufacture  of, 
per  annum,  313 

Cigars,  exports  from  Havana,  306 
Cigars,  cigarettes,  and  packages  of 
smoking  tobacco  for  home  consump- 
tion, 312 

Cigars,  exportation  of,  decrease  from 
1889  to  1897  (table),  314 
Cigars,  number  manufactured  in  1889 
for  exportation  and  local  consump- 
tion, 313 

Cimarrones,  population,  124 
Cities  and  towns,  122-138 
City  of  Alexandria,  366 
City  of  Washington,  366 
City  property,  face  value  of  tax  re- 
ceipts on,  1886-1898,  252  ; actual 
amount  of  taxes  collected  on,  253 
Civil  Guards,  261 


Clark,  William  J.,  285,  286 
Coal,  326  ; analysis  of,  327 
Coasting  trade,  regulation  of,  362 
Coast  line,  358 

Cobre,  description,  137,  318,  325 
Cobre  manganese  mines,  324 
Cocoa  shipments,  345 
Cocoanuts,  345 
Cocoanut-oil  shipments,  345 
Coffee,  349,  350 

Coins,  gold,  value  of,  23,  190-192 
Cojimar.  description,  134 
Collection  of  taxes  other  than  cus- 
toms duties  by  Spanish  Bank,  252, 
254 

Colon,  population,  123  ; description, 
135  ; market,  162 
Co  Ionia,  284 
Colonia  Guabairo,  284 
Colonial  government,  Jamaica,  48 
Columbus,  Christopher,  place  of 
burial,  142  ; discovery  of  tobacco, 
302 

Commerce,  267-280  ; value  of,  267 
Commercial  Cuba,  quotation  from,  285 
“ Commercial  relations  between  Cuba 
and  the  United  States,”  by  E.  Sher- 
man Gould,  274-280 
Commission  of  Cuban  officers  on  pay- 
ment of  insurgent  soldiers,  204 
Compania  del  Ferro  Carril  de  Cien- 
fuegos a Santa  Clara,  traffic  and 
fiscal  statement  (table),  359 
Compania  del  Ferro  Carril  de  Matan- 
zas,  traffic  and  fiscal  statement 
(table),  359 

Compania  del  Ferro  Carril  de  Sagua 
la  Grande,  traffic  and  fiscal  state- 
ment, 359 

Compania  Transatlantica,  261 
Compania  Transatlantica  Espanol, 
369-  370 

Compania  Unida  de  los  Ferro  Carril 
de  Caibarien,  traffic  and  fiscal 
statement  (table),  359 
Comparative  value  of  cane  sugar  as 
against  beet  sugar,  288 
Concha  ( see  Fa  Isabela) 

Conclusion — a look  ahead,  408-415 
Conditions  which  confront  us,  14-31 
Consolacion  del  Sur,  population,  123  ; 

description,  133 
Constancia  mine,  328 
Construction  of  roads  necessary  to  re- 
construction of  tobacco  industry, 

309 

“ Consumption  Tax,”  26 


420 


Index 


Coolie  labour,  76 ; imported  from 
China,  77 
Copper,  325 

Cornill,  Lieutenant,  404 
Corral  Nuevo,  population,  123 
Cortes,  district  of,  307 
Cortez,  F.,  128 

Cost,  average,  of  production  of  Ger- 
man raw  sugar,  288 
Cost  of  farming,  83 
Cost  of  production  of  sugar  in  Cuba,  289 
Cotton,  331,  332 
Cramp  & Sons,  367 
Cuban  debt,  statement  of  (table),  259- 
261 

Cuba  Submarine  Telegraph  Company, 
361 

Cuen  wood,  342 

Cuero  iron  mines,  322 

Cuevitas,  population,  123 

Cuia  wood,  342 

Currency  question,  21-26 

Custom-House  receipts,  213;  1886  to 

1897,  inclusive,  by  custom-house 
districts  (table),  218  ; during  1S95- 
96,  specifying  taxes  (table),  220 

Customs  of  living,  98-100 

Daiquiri,  322 

Daiquiri  Bay,  320 

Davis,  Captain,  no 

Davis,  General,  405 

Davis,  Surgeon,  162,  163 

Death-rate  of  Havana,  145,  154 

Deaths  in  Havana,  first  eleven  months 

1898,  no;  rate  in  Havana  com- 
pared with  other  cities,  m ; table. 

Debt  of  Cuba,  259-261 
Debt  of  the  city  of  Havana,  1S0-183  ; 
compared  with  United  States  cities, 
182 

Decline  of  Cuban  tobacco  industry, 
cause  of,  314 

De  la  Plata  iron  mines,  322 
Delinquent  taxes, total  and  percentage, 
1886-98,  253  ; percentage  of  each 
year,  253 

Demajobo  iron  mines,  322 
Density  of  population  of  Havana, 
169,  171 
De  Soto,  140 

Destruction  of  tobacco  industry,  causes 
of,  307,  308 
Diana  Key,  328 

Disbanding  of  army,  discussion  with 
General  Gomez,  395,  398 


Diseases,  principal,  in 
Distances,  table  of,  375 
Distribution  of  fund  for  relief  of  army, 
memorandum  between  General  Go- 
mez and  Robert  P.  Porter,  398,  399 
Donaldson,  W.  A.,  69,  71 
Dorothea  and  Recrio  iron  mines,  322 
Dos  Bocas  manganese  mines,  324 
Drainage  of  Havana,  16S 
Ducasse,  General,  106 
Dudley,  D.  E.,  report  on  Cienfuegos, 
113-115 
Duelling,  99 

Dumois  family  in  banana  business,  67 
Ebony,  341 

Economic  condition  at  time  of  signing 
of  protocol,  Aug.  12,  1898,  1-13 
Economiste  Franfais , article  by  Paul 
Leroy  Beaulieu  on  Cuban  debt,  258 
Economia  iron  mines,  322 
Education,  public  money  for,  388 
Education  and  religion,  376-389 
Education  under  Spanish  rule,  28 
“ Emancipados”  74 
Empresa  Unida  de  los  C.  de  H.  de 
Cardenas  y Jucaro,  traffic  and  fiscal 
statement  (table),  359 
Encrucijada  Railway,  355 
Engineering  Magazine , article  by  E. 
Sherman  Gould  on  “ Commercial 
relations  between  Cuba  and  the 
United  States,”  274 
England,  sugar  exported  from  Cuba  to, 
1893-97,294 

English  in  Jamaica,  47,  61 
Enterprises  for  American  and  English 
capital,  414,  415 
Equipment  of  railroads,  357 
“ Evangelist  Island”  (rz^Isle  of  Pines), 
138 

Expenditure,  annual,  of  sugar  estates, 
297,  298 

Expenditures  of  Cuba,  analysis  of, 
256-263  ; methods  suggested,  265, 
266 

Expenditures  of  Jamaica,  57 
Expense  of  producing  one  hundred 
bales  of  tobacco,  310 
Expenses,  sovereignty  (table),  256 
Expenses  of  Havana,  184-186  ; for 
salaries  of  police  department,  174, 
175 

Exportation  of  tobacco  to  United 
States,  1889-97,  315 
Export  duty  on  leaf  tobacco  to  be 
maintained,  315 


Index 


421 


Export  price  of  German  sugar,  2S8 
Exports,  from  Cuba  to  the  United 
States,  1893  (table),  268  ; from 
United  States  to  Cuba,  1893  (table), 
268  ; from  United  States  to  Cuba  in 
1889  and  1893,  value  of  (table), 
275,  276  ; of  sugar  to  United  States, 
Canada,  Spain,  and  England,  294 
Exports  and  reshipments,  1885-96, 
values  of  (table),  217 

Face  value  of  tax  receipts  handed  to 
Spanish  Bank  for  collection,  1886- 
98  (table),  252 

Farm  labour  on  colonia,  79-85 
Fibre  plants,  332 

Figueras,  Fran,  on  annexation,  33, 
264 

Fire  department  of  Havana,  organisa- 
tion, 179  ; expense,  180 
Firmeza,  iron  mines  in,  320 
Fiscal  statement  of  railways  of  West- 
ern Cuba,  359 
Foreign  population,  100 
Foreign  tonnage  of  Havana,  371 
Fortifications  of  Havana,  141 
Free  importation  of  cattle  necessary 
to  reconstruction  of  tobacco  industry, 
308,  309 

French  lines  of  steamships,  371 
French  Submarine  Cable  Company, 
361 

Fruit-bearing  trees,  344-349 
Fruit  trees  and  timber,  338-350 

Gage,  Hon.  Lyman  J.,  order  in  re- 
lation to  currency,  195  ; report  in 
relation  to  visit  to  General  Gomez, 
390-407 

Garcia,  Dr.,  invented  “cold  box”  in 
yellow  fever,  118 
Garcia,  General,  204,  401,  408 
Genuineness  of  Cuban  tobacco,  pro- 
tection and  guarantee  of,  310 
Geological  formation  of  Havana,  167 
German  sugar,  average  cost  of  pro- 
duction of,  288  ; export  price,  288 
Gibara,  population,  123  ; description, 
137  ; shipments  of  bananas,  345 
Gibara-Holguin  Railway,  355 
Gibara  or  Mayari  tobacco,  305 
Gold  and  silver,  325,  326 
■ Gold  coins,  value  of,  23 
Gollan,  British  Consul-General  at 
Havana,  estimate  of  factory  cost  of 
sugar,  285 

Gomez,  General  Jose  Miguel,  204 


Gomez,  General  Maximo,  sympathy 
with  United  States,  16  ; letter  from, 
17;  visit  to,  390-407;  letter  from 
General  Brooke,  392  ; memorandum 
regarding  distribution  of  funds  for 
relief  of  army,  398  ; cable  from 
Secretary  Hay,  406  ; personality  of, 
407  ; 408 

Gomez  de  Avellanda,  Dona  Gertrudis, 
birthplace  of,  129 
Gould,  Hon.  Charles  W.,  249 
Gould,  E.  Sherman,  article  on  “ Com- 
mercial relations  between  Cuba  and 
the  United  States,”  274-280 
Granadillo  wood,  341 
Grasses,  332 

Greene,  General  F.  R.,  report  on  con- 
dition of  Havana,  160-163, 172-175, 
177,  182,  186 
Grifa,  district  of,  307 
Guama  iron  mines,  322 
Guana,  population,  123 
Guanabacoa,  sanitary  condition,  120; 
population,  1 23  ; description,  134, 
152;  high  death-rates,  166 
Guanabana , 347 

Guanajay,  population,  123  ; descrip- 
tion, 133 

Guanajayabo,  population,  123 
Guane,  district  of,  307 
Guane,  town  of,  population,  124 
Guano  palm,  339 

Guantanamo,  sanitary  condition,  119; 

population,  123  ; description,  137 
Guantanamo  Railway,  355 
Guar  da  Civil,  173 
Guaurabo  River,  127 
Guido,  steamer,  367 
Gliines,  sanitary  condition,  120;  popu- 
lation, 123  ; description,  134 
Guira,  population,  123 
Guira  de  Melena,  population,  123 

Hanabanilla  River,  114 
Hanna,  Lieutenant,  393 
Harbour  of  Havana,  cleansing  of,  168 
Harbours  of  Cuba,  358 
Hard  woods,  varieties,  341 
Hatillo  manganese  mines,  324 
Havana,  possibilities  of,  3 ; sanitary 
condition,  109-1 13;  population,  123; 
chapter  on,  139-153  ; commercial 
importance,  140  ; history,  140  ; 
harbour,  141  ; churches,  142  ; parks, 
143  ; street  railways,  143  ; sewer- 
age, 144  ; water  supply,  144  ; tele- 
phone system,  144  ; fire  department, 


422 


Index 


II  a van  a — Con  ti  n utd. 

145  ; death-rate,  145,  154  ; com- 
merce, 145  ; education,  146-151  ; 
hotels,  151  ; theatres,  152  ; suburbs, 
152  ; weather  observations,  152  ; 
municipal  problems,  172-189 
Havana  Commercial  Company,  306 
Havana  province,  area  and  popula- 
tion, 122  ; tobacco  production  of 

304 

Havana,  steamer,  367 
Hay,  Hon.  John,  cable  to  General 
Gomez,  406 
Hecker,  Colonel,  343 
Henequin,  332 

Henry  Clay  and  Bock  Company, 
Limited,  306,  307 

Heredia,  Jose  Maria,  birthplace  of, 
129 

Hill,  Mr.  G.  Everett,  report  on  sani- 
tary condition  of  Havana,  154-15S, 
160 

Hill,  Robert  T.,  on  population,  101- 
105 

Hogs,  337 

Holguin,  population,  123  ; descrip- 
tion, 137 

Home  consumption  of  tobacco,  312 
Horses,  336 
Hospitality,  98 

Immigration,  promotion  of,  necessary 
to  reconstruction  of  tobacco  in- 
dustry, 309 

Imports  and  exports,  18S6-97,  receipts 
from,  by  custom-house  districts, 
average,  219 

Imports  from  United  States,  agricul- 
tural products,  330 

Imports  of  merchandise,  value  of  in 
1895,  214  ; value  of  by  tariff  classes, 
for  1895-96,  217 
Indigo  plant,  332 
Industrial  Bank,  198 
Industrial  School,  381-38S 
Ingleterra  Hotel  of  Havana,  152 
Insurgent  troops,  disposal  of,  89 ; 

payment  of,  204-2 1 o ; 390-407 
Internal  revenue,  receipts  from  taxes 
(table),  254 

Internal  revenue  taxes,  collection  of, 
203 

Internal  taxes,  248-255 
International  Ocean  Telegraph  Com- 
pany, 361 

Iron  ore,  production  of  in  Santiago, 
321 


Iron-ore  mining,  when  begun,  318; 
history,  318-321  ; mining  proper- 
ties, 322 

Islands  of  Cuba,  13S 
Isle  of  Pines,  description,  138  ; gold 
and  silver,  325  ; production  of  pine- 
apples, 348 

Izquierdo,  Colonel  Luis  Ramos.  285 
Izquierdo,  Jose  M.,  in  regard  to  street- 
sweeping contracts,  1 12,  113 

Jagua,  bay  of,  127 
Jaguey  wood,  342 
Jamaica,  English  in,  47,  61 
Jamaica,  revenue,  55,  56;  expend 
ltures,  57  ; roads,  58,  59 ; tariff, 
59.  .60 

Jamaica  negro,  value  as  labourer,  84 
Jaruco,  population,  123  ; description, 
134 

“Jerked  beef,”  335.  336 
Jesus  del  Monte,  152;  salubrity  and 
altitude,  167 
Jibacoa,  population,  124 
Jicotea  River,  114 
Jiguani,  population,  124  ; description 
. 137 

Jique  wood,  341 
Johnston,  Dr.  James,  47 
Jovellanos,  population,  123  ; descrip- 
tion, 135 

Jover,  Dr.  Antonio,  194,  195 
Jucaro  Moron  Railway,  355 
Juragua  Group  iron  mines,  322 
Juragua  Iron  Company,  319-322,  356 

Keys,  138 

La  Boca  (See  La  Isabela),  popula- 
tion, 124 

La  Cienaga  of  Havana,  152 
La  Cruces,  population,  123  ; descrip- 
tion, 135 

La  Esperanza,  population,  123 
La  Estrella  of  Santiago,  130 
La  Isabela,  population,  123  ; seaport 
of  Sagua,  131  ; description,  135 
La  Plaza  of  Batabano,  133 
La  Socapa  of  Santiago,  130 
La  Vija,  127 

Labour,  outlook  for,  73_39  I increased 
demand  for,  86  ; for  mining,  323  ; 
opportunities  for,  412,  413 
Lagunillas,  population,  124 
Lakes,  360 
Lampton,  W.  J.,  139 
Land  and  professional  taxes,  248 
Lane,  Ralph,  discovery  of  tobacco,  302 


Index 


423 


Lanuza,  Dr.  Jose  Gonzales,  204 
Las  Casas,  140 
Las  Tunas  Railway,  355 
Lastres,  Dr.  Joaquin,  on  University 
of  Havana,  378-381 
Lead,  326 
Lee,  General,  405 
Lemons,  346 
Lengua  de  vaca,  332 
Lighthouses,  360 
Lignum  vitae,  341 
Limonar,  population,  124 
Llave  del  Nuevo  Mundo,  140 
Logan,  Major  John  A.,  394 
Los  Tres  Reyes  of  Havana,  141 
Louvre  Hotel  of  Havana,  152 
Ludlow,  General,  144,  172,  174 

McCullough,  ex-chief  of  police  of  New 
York,  174 

McKinley,  President,  43  ; order  in  re- 
gard to  currency,  196  ; cable  from 
General  Gomez,  402,  403 
McKinley  Tariff  law,  reciprocity  of, 
273 

Macagua,  population,  123  ; descrip- 
tion, 135 

Maceo,  General,  inaugurated  revolu- 
tion, 137,  408 

Macio  manganese  mines,  324 
Macurijes,  population,  123 
Madalena  iron  mines,  322 
Madruga,  population,  124  ; descrip- 
tion, 134 

Mahogany,  339,  341  ; shipments  to 
United  States,  340 
Majagua  wood,  341 
Mamey,  346 

Managua,  population,  124 
Manganese,  323,  324  ; mines,  list  of, 

324 

Mangar,  population,  124 
Manicaragua  district,  silver  in,  326 
Mantua,  population,  124 
Manufacture  of  tobacco  ; importance 
and  prospects,  313  ; number  of 
workmen  employed  in  Havana,  313; 
decrease,  314 

Manufactures  under  Spanish  rule,  29 
Manufacturing  establishments  of  to- 
bacco owned  by  English,  French, 
and  German  companies,  306 
Manzanillo,  sanitary  condition,  119; 
population,  123;  description,  131  ; 
exports  of  lumber,  132  ; petroleum 
in,  328 
Marble,  328 


Margarita  manganese  mines,  324 
Marianao,  sanitary  condition,  120 ; 
population,  124;  description,  134, 

15.2 

Marianao  Railway,  355 
Mariel,  population,  123 
Maritime  Security  Bank,  198 
Marti,  408 

Mascotte , steamer,  371 
Matanzas,  sanitary  condition,  116, 
1 1 7 ; population,  123;  description, 
125 

Matanzas,  steamer,  367 
Matanzas  Province,  area  and  popula- 
tion, 122 

Matanzas  Railway,  354 
Mayari  y Gibara  tobacco,  305  ; pro- 
duction of,  estimate,  31 1 
Melena  del  Sur,  population  of,  124 
Menocal,  General,  176,  405 
Mexico , steamer,  367 
Milanes,  birthplace  of,  129 
Mineral  Springs  of  Madruga,  1 34  ; of 
San  Antonio  de  los  Banos,  135 
Mines  and  mining,  318-328 
Mining  properties  in  Santiago,  list  of, 
322 

Moboa  wood,  342 
Monteagudo.  General,  405 
Montoro,  Marquis  Rafael,  91,  211, 
212,  214 

Moret  law,  76,  77 
Moron,  population,  123 
Morro,  of  Santiago,  130;  of  Havana, 
141 

Mules,  336,  337 

Municipal  problems  in  Havana,  172- 
189 

Munoz  del  Monte,  Adolfo,  36  ; article 
in  Revista  de  Agriculture,  295-299 
Munson  Steamship  Line,  370 
Muscovado  sugars,  cost  of,  286,  295 

Nanigos,  101 

Napoleon,  French,  value  of,  23 
Nassau,  sugar  exported  from  Cuba  to, 
1897,  294 
Natural  gas,  328 
Navigation,  362-375 
Navajas-Jaguey  Railway,  354 
Navigation  policy  of  United  States, 

364,  365 

Negro,  Cuban,  characteristics  of,  101 
Newport,  steamer,  366 
New  York  and  Cuba  Mail  Steamship 
Company,  365  ; list  of  steamers, 
366,  368  ; routes,  368  ; rates,  369 


424 


Index 


Niagara,  steamer,  367 
Nickel,  328 
Nueva  Gerona,  138 
Nueva  Paz,  population,  123 
Nuevitas,  population,  123  ; descrip- 
tion, 136  ; exports,  136 

Oath  for  police  force,  176 
Obstacle  to  Cuban  commerce,  269 
Officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Cuban 
army,  number  of,  208 
Old  Dominion  Steamship  Company, 
366 

Olivette,  steamer,  371 
Oranges,  345,  346 
Or  den  Publico,  173 
Orizaba,  steamer,  366 

Pacific  Mail  Steamship  Company,  366 
Palma  Real,  338 
Palmillas,  population,  124 
Palmira,  population,  123 
Panupo  Iron  Company,  324 
Parque  Central  of  Havana,  143 
Parque  de  Isabela  of  Havana,  153 
Partagos  Company,  306 
Partidos  leaf,  303,  304 
Partido  tobacco,  production  of,  estim- 
ate, 31 1 

Pasaje  Hotel  of  Havana,  152 
Paseo  de  Carlos  III.  of  Havana,  146 
Paseo  de  Tacon  of  Havana,  143 
Patti,  Adelina,  first  appearance,  129 
Payment  of  insurgent  soldiers,  204, 
210;  suggestions  in  relation  to,  391, 
392 

Peace  Commission,  258 
Pelaez,  Philip,  264 

Pepper,  Charles  M.,  on  negroes  of 
Cuba,  105-107  ; in  regard  to  timber 
and  lumber  in  Cuba,  343  ; on  edu- 
cation, 377,  378 

Perez  de  Montes  de  Oca,  Dona 
Luisa,  birthplace  of,  129 
Perna,  Dr.  Luis,  on  tuberculosis,  115, 
116 

Petroleum,  328 
Philip  I.,  281 

Pinardel  Rio,  sanitary  condition,  119  ; 

population,  123  ; description,  132 
Pinar  del  Rio  Province,  area  and 
population,  122  ; tobacco  produc- 
tion, 304,  307  ; grasses  of,  332 
Pinar  del  Rio  (River  of  Pines),  338 
Pineapple,  export  of,  348 
Placido,  129 
Plant  Line,  371 


Playa  de  Marianao  of  Havana,  152 
Plaza  de  Armas  of  Havana,  153 
Policy  of  United  States  toward 
Cuba,  15 

Political  condition  at  time  of  signing 
of  protocol,  August  12,  189S,  1-13 
Political  future  of  Cuba,  32-46 
Ponupo  Mining  and  Transportation 
Company,  356 

Population,  90-107;  1774-1899  (table), 
92  ; estimated,  93  ; total  census, 
i887.  94  1 by  colour,  94  ; density  of, 
94  ; by  sex,  95,  96  ; census,  1877, 
96;  of  cities  and  towns  (table),  123 
Portillo  manganese  mines,  324 
Port  regulations,  amended  371-374 
Potatoes,  330 
Poultry,  337 

Prado  of  Havana,  143,  153 
Price  of  sugar,  average,  298 
Proctor,  Hon.  R.,  405 
Production  of  iron  ore  in  province  of 
Santiago  (table),  321 
Prohibition  of  importing  and  reim- 
porting all  tobacco  should  be  main- 
tained, 316 

Providencia  iron  mines,  322 
Provinces,  population  and  area,  122, 
123 

Public  money  for  education,  388 
Public  works  needed  in  Havana,  176 
Puerto  Principe,  sanitary  condition, 
117;  population,  123;  description, 
126 

Puerto  Principe,  street  railways  in, 
353 

Puerto  Principe  and  Nuevitas  Rail- 
way, 355 

Puerto  Principe  Province,  area  and 
population,  122  ; tobacco  produc- 
tion of,  305  ; iron  ore  in,  322  ; 
silver  in,  326 

Puertos  Grandes,  suburb  of  Havana 

152 

Quemado  manganese  mines,  324 
Quemados  de  Giiines,  population,  123 
Quesada,  Senor  Gonzalo  de,  204,  393, 
408 

Quicksilver,  328 
Quivican,  population,  123 

Railroads,  steam,  354-358 
Railways  of  Western  Cuba,  traffic  and 
fiscal  statement,  359 
Railway  supplies,  obtained  from 
United  States,  280 


Index 


425 


Railway  system,  under  Spanish  rule, 
30 

Rainfall  of  Havana,  164 
Raleigh,  Sir  Walter,  302 
Ramas  manganese  mines,  324 
Ramsden,  Frederick  \V.,  on  coal,  326 
Rancho  Velez,  population,  124 
Ranchuelo,  population,  123 
Rates,  New  York  and  Cuba  Mail 
Steamship  Company,  369 
Rations,  farm  labourers',  81 
Rebellion  of  1S95-9S,  effect  of,  on 
sugar  industry,  282 
Receipts  and  expenditures  of  the 
Budget  of  the  Island  of  Cuba  for 
1898-99  (table),  21 1 
Reciprocity,  British  Consul-General 
at  Havana  on,  273,  274 
Reconstruction  of  tobacco  industry, 
what  is  necessary  for,  308-310 
Red  Telefonica  de  la  Habana,  144, 
361 

Regia,  population,  123  ; description, 
134,  MR  152 

Regia  and  Guanabacoa  Railway,  355 
Regulations  for  labourers,  8r,  82 
Relative  importance  of  sugar-pro- 
ducing countries  of  the  world,  301 
Religion,  388,  389 
Religion  and  education,  376-389 
Remates,  district  of,  307 
Remedios,  population,  123  ; descrip- 
tion, 135 

Remedios  leaf,  305 
Remedios  tobacco,  production  of, 
estimate,  31 1 

Revenue,  customs  tariff,  21 1-220 
Revenue,  how  spent,  256-266 
Revenue  of  Cuba,  internal  taxes,  24S- 
255 

Revenue  of  Havana,  183,  1S4 
Revenue  of  Jamaica,  55,  56 
Revista  de  Agriculture , article  by 
Adolfo  Munoz  del  Monte,  295-299 
Rivers,  360 

Roads,  waggon,  351-353 
Roads  in  Jamaica,  58,  59 
Roble  amarillo  wood,  341 
Roble  bianco  wood,  341 
Rodriguez,  General,  sympathy  with 
United  States,  16 
Roque,  population,  124 
Rosewood,  342 

Routes  of  New  York  and  Cuba  Mail 
Steamship  Company,  368 
Royal  Commission,  report  on  con- 
dition of  West  Indies,  52,  53 


Rubens,  Horatio  S.,  204 
Rural  police,  establishment  of  corps 
of,  necessary  to  reconstruction  of 
tobacco  industry,  309,  310 
Rural  real  estate,  face  value  of  tax 
receipts  on,  1886-98,  252  ; actual 
amount  collected,  253 

Sabalo,  district  of,  307 
Sabanilla  and  Maroto  Railway,  356 
Sabanilla  del  Encomendador,  popula- 
tion, 123 

Sagua  de  Tanamo,  population,  124 
Sagua  la  Grande,  population,  123  ; de- 
scription, 13 1 

Sagua  la  Grande  Railway,  354 
Salaries  paid  Cuban  and  United 
States  armies  per  month,  209 
Salud,  population,  124 
Sampson,  Admiral,  149 
Sancti  Spiritu,  population,  123  ; de- 
scription, 135 

San  Andres  manganese  mines,  324 
San  Antonio  de  Cabezas,  population, 
124 

San  Antonio  de  las  Vegas,  popula- 
tion, 124 

San  Antonio  de  los  Banos,  popula- 
tion, 123  ; description,  135 
San  Antonio  de  Rio  Blanco  del  Norte, 
population,  124 

San  Cayetano  and  Vinales  Railway, 
355 

San  Cristobal,  population,  123  ; de- 
scription, 133 

San  Cristobal  de  la  Habana  (see  Ha- 
vana) 

San  Diego  de  los  Banos,  description, 
133  _ 

San  Diego  del  Valle,  population,  124 
San  Felipe,  population,  123 
San  Jose  Bank,  198 
San  Jose  de  las  Lajas,  population,  123 
San  Jose  de  los  Remos,  population, 
124 

San  Juan  de  las  Yeras,  population, 
123 

San  Juan  manganese  mines,  324 
San  Juan  y Martinez,  population,  123 
San  Luis,  population,  123 
San  Maestro  range,  323,  324 
San  Matias  de  Rio  Blanco,  popula- 
tion, 124 

San  Miguel,  population,  124 
San  Nicolas,  population,  124 
San  Vincente  mineral  springs,  133 
Sanguily,  Colonel  Manuel,  204 


426 


Index 


Sanitary  conditions,  rural,  121 
Sanitary  report  of  Colonel  Waring 
1 54-i 7 1 

Sanitary  work  in  Cuba,  108-121 

Santa  Ana,  population,  124 

Santa  Clara,  sanitary  condition,  120  ; 

population,  123;  description,  128 
Santa  Clara  Province,  area  and  popu- 
lation, 122  ; tobacco  production  of, 
3°4»  3°5  I iron  ore  in,  322  ; silver 
in,  326  ; asphaltum,  327 
Santa  Cruz,  population,  123 
Santa  Cruz  del  Sur,  population,  124 
Santa  Domingo,  population,  123 
Santa  Fe,  138 

Santa  Filomena  manganese  mines,  324 
Santa  Isabel,  population,  123  ; de- 
scription, 136 

Santa  Maria  del  Rosario,  population 

124 

Santiago,  Americans  in,  62-72  ; Cus- 
tom-House receipts,  estimate  of,  71 
Santiago,  Chamber  of  Commerce,  me- 
morial to  President,  192 
Santiago,  iron  mines  near,  319 
Santiago,  sanitary  condition,  117  ; 
population,  123;  description,  128; 
fortifications,  130 

Santiago  de  las  Vegas,  population,  123 
Santiago  Province,  area,  122  ; popula- 
tion, 123;  tobacco  production  of, 
305  ; manganese  in,  323  ; copper 
in,  325  ; silver  in,  326  ; lead  in,  326 
Santo  Domingo,  Church  of,  Havana 
152 

Santo  Espiritu  (see  Sancti  Spiritu) 
Sapotilla,  347 
Sapotes , 345 

Savings  banks  in  Cuba,  199 
School  of  Arts  and  Trades,  3S2 
Schuman,  Mr.,  192 
Scribner's  Magazine,  article  Plon. 

Jos.  Chamberlain,  48 
Segnranca,  steamer,  366 
Semilleros  (planting  beds),  305 
Seneca,  steamer,  366 
Sevilla  iron  mines,  322 
Sheep,  337 
Siboney,  322 

Sierra  Maestre  range,  iron  mines  in, 
319.  323.  324 
Sigua  Bay,  320 
Sigua  Iron  Company,  319-322 
Silver,  Spanish,  value  of,  24 
Slave-trade,  horrors  of,  74 
Smith  Key  of  Santiago,  130 
Sores,  Jacob,  141 


South-eastern  Calzada,  352 
Southern  Calzada,  352 
South-western  Calzada,  352 
Spain,  sugar  exported  from  Cuba  to, 
1893-97.  294 

Spain's  policy  toward  Cuba  in  relation 
to  commerce,  272 

Spanish- American  Iron  Company, 
319-322 

Spanish  army,  mortality,  1897  (table) 
165 

Spanish  Bank  of  the  Island  of  Cuba, 
198,  199  ; branches  of,  251 
Spanish  imports  into  Cuba,  1896 
(table),  270,  271 

Spanish  peasants,  value  as  labourers 
78 

Steam  railroads,  354-358 
Steamers  of  Compania  Transatlantica 
Espahol,  369,  370 

Steamers  of  New  York  and  Cuba  Mail 
Steamship  Company,  list  of,  366 
S,  S.  Admiral  Sampson , 47 
Sternberg,  Surgeon-General,  in 
Stock,  329-337 
Strawberry,  348 
Street  railways,  353 
Streets  of  Havana,  paving  of,  169 
Street-sweeping  contracts,  J.  M.  Yz- 
quierdo  in  regard  to,  112,  113 
Sugar,  production  of,  1869-98  (table), 

292  ; 1879-98  (table),  293  ; prices  of, 

293  ; local  consumption,  1893-97, 

294  ; distribution  of  crops,  1893- 
97,  294  ; classes  made  during  thirty 
years  before  1884,  295  ; left  in  store 
December  1,  1897,  295 ; history 
and  future  outlook,  2Si~3or  ; total 
production  of  the  world  (table),  300  ; 
producing  countries  of  the  world, 
relative  importance  of,  301  ; beet, 
competition  of,  293 

Sugar,  beet  and  cane,  total  produc- 
tion in  1893-94,  283 
Supreme  Court  of  Santiago,  reinstate- 
ment of,  64 

Surgirdero  of  Batabano,  133 

Tacon  market,  162 
1 aeon  Theatre  of  Havana,  152 
Tapaste,  population,  124 
1 ariff,  amended,  how  framed,  216; 

amended  official  rates,  221-247 
Tariff  of  Jamaica,  59,  60 
Tariff,  Spanish,  actuating  principle 
of,  18 

Tariff,  Spanish,  215 


Index 


427 


Tax  receipts  delivered  for  collection 
to  the  Spanish  Bank  of  the  Island 
of  Cuba  (tables),  201,  202 
Tax  receipts  handed  to  Spanish  Bank 
for  collection,  1886-98,  face  value 
of  (table),  252 

Taxes  in  Cuba,  classification,  212 
Taxes  collected  during  1894-95,  by 
provinces,  percent.,  250 
Taxes  collected  by  the  Spanish  Bank, 
18S6-9S,  actual  amount  of  (table), 
253 

Taxes  and  Imposts  (table),  24S 
Taxes,  minor,  face  value  of  receipts, 
252  ; actual  amount  collected  1S86- 
98, 

Taxes  other  than  customs  duties, 
statement  of  Jose  Anton  Alcala, 
chief  of  tax  bureau  of  Spanish 
Bank,  249 

Taxes  on  professions,  trades,  etc., 
1886-98,  face  value  of  receipts 
on,  252  ; actual  amount  collected, 
1886-98,  253 
Taylor,  A.  H.,  169 
Telegraph  lines,  360,  361 
Telephones,  361 
Temperature  of  Havana,  164 
Theoretical  sugar  contents  of  100 
pounds  cane,  286 
Timber  and  fruit  trees,  338-350 
Tobacco,  302-316 

Tobacco,  exports  of,  percentage 
shipped  by  Havana,  306  ; decrease 
in  shipments  to  United  States  in 
1897,  307 

Tobacco,  United  States  imports,  from 
Cuba,  312 

Tobacco,  history  of  cultivation,  302, 
303 

Tobacco,  leaf,  exportation  of,  in- 
crease, 314 

Tobacco  manufacturing  companies, 
list  of,  306 

Tobacco  manufactories  of  Havana, 
145 

Tobacco  production,  report  by  prov- 
inces, grade,  amount  consumed, 
and  amount  exported,  304,  305  ; 
in  eastern  provinces,  estimate,  31 1 ; 
in  Havana  Province,  estimate,  31 1 ; 
in  Pinar  del  Rio,  estimate,  31 1 ; in 
Las  Villas  Sta.  Clara,  estimate,  31 1 ; 
in  normal  times,  by  provinces,  esti- 
mate, 31 1 ; of  the  world,  average 
(table),  316 

Tobacco  raising,  methods  of,  305,  306 


Tobacco,  yield  per  acre,  306;  num- 
ber of  persons  engaged  in  cultivat- 
ing, 306 

Todd,  J.  White,  on  labour,  413 
Tonnage  of  Plavana,  foreign,  371 
Tonnage  of  Havana  and  other  ports, 

358 

Total  delinquent  taxes,  202 
Trade  of  Cuban  ports,  2rS 
Traffic  of  railways  of  Western  Cuba, 

359 

Tramways  of  Havana,  176,  177 
Transportation,  351,  361 
Treaty  of  Vienna,  73 
T relies,  Modesto,  statement  in  regard 
to  “ jerked  beef,”  335,  336 
Trinidad,  cost  of  Muscovado  sugars 
at,  286 

Trinidad,  population,  123  ; descrip- 
tion, 127  ; exports,  12S 
Tunas  de  Zaza,  population,  124  ; 
description,  136  ; exports,  136 

Union  Bridge  Company  of  New  York, 
276 

United  Railways  Company,  354 
United  Railways  of  Havana  and 
Regia  Warehouse,  Ld.,  traffic  and 
fiscal  statement  (table),  359 
United  States,  sugar  exported  from 
Cuba  to,  1893-97,  294 
University  of  Havana,  148,  378,  3S1 
Uplands,  climate  of,  121 
Upmann  & Company,  II.,  306 
Uvera  and  Jaqueca  iron  mines,  322 

Values  of  sugar  in  Cuba,  on  what  de- 
pendent, 289 
Van  Leer,  Major,  343 
Vegetables,  331 

Velasquez,  Diego,  127,  129,  140 
Vereda  Nueva,  population,  124 
Vienna,  treaty  of,  73 
Vigilancia,  steamer,  366 
Villalon,  Colonel  Jose  Ramon,  204, 
206  ; regarding  payment  of  army, 
39L  392 

Vinales,  population,  124  ; description, 
133 

Volante , 353 

Vuelta  Abajo,  tobacco  district,  132 
Vuelta  Abajo  tobacco,  production  of, 
estimate,  303,  304,  308,  310-313, 
3i5 

Wages,  farm  labourers’,  80,  81,  85 
Waggon  roads,  351-353 


428 


Index 


War,  causes  of,  7,  8 
War  debt,  257,  259 
Ward,  James  E.,  365,  366 
“ Ward  Line,”  365 
Waring,  Colonel  George  E.,  144  ; san- 
itary report,  154-171 
Water  supply  of  Havana,  156, 
1 7 7-i 79 

Western  Calzada , 352 
Western  Railway,  354 
Western  Railways  of  Havana,  Ld., 
276  ; traffic  and  fiscal  statement 
(table),  359 

West  India  and  Panama  Telegraph 
Company,  361 

Willet  & Gray,  Messrs.,  total  sugar 
production  of  the  world  (year  1895), 
(table),  299,  300 

Wood,  Major-General  Leonard,  63- 
66,  68,  69,  392,  399,  408 


Wyman,  Dr.,  hi 

Ximeno,  Mr.  Albert  de,  393 

Yaba  wood,  342 
Yagua,  338 
Yarey  palm,  339 

\ ellow  fever  commission,  Havana, 
extracts  from  report  of,  164-171 
Yuca,  331 

Yucatan , steamer,  366 
Yumuri  River,  125  ; canon  of,  126 
Yumuri.  steamer,  366,  367 
Yzquierdo,  Jose  M.,  on  street-sweep- 
ing contracts,  1 12 

Zanjon,  peace  of,  8,  76 
Zapote,  348 
Zaza  Railway,  355 


DATE  DUE 


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